Alternative Milk Industry Opposes Baldwin Bill

Leading advocates and organizations representing manufacturers of plant-based foods, including the Soyfoods Association of North America, the Good Food Institute, Blue Diamond, and Campbell Soup Company, have come together to oppose the Dairy Pride Act.

Leading the coalition is the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), a trade association representing 88 makers of plant-based foods, including plant-based milks, cheeses and yogurt. PBFA member company representatives lobbying today include those making milks, yogurt, and ice cream derived from healthy and sustainable ingredients such as nuts, oats and flax seeds.

The group will tell members of Congress to oppose the “Dairy Pride Act,” a federal bill proposed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin that would prohibit labels with commonly understood words such as “soymilk” and “coconut yogurt.”

According to data recently commissioned from Nielsen, sales of plant-based dairy alternatives – including cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter and creamers, (excluding milks) – are up 20 percent compared to last year. Plant-based milks are up 3.1 percent, while dairy milk sales declined 5 percent during the same period.

PBFA announced that Campbell Soup Company joined the association, becoming its largest member. The company owns the Bolthouse Farms line, which makes a plant-based milk from pea protein.