IDFA Submits Comments to USDA on Dry Whey Permeate

Creating a grade standard or product specification for dry whey permeate is unnecessary and could actually limit the development of products using the ingredient, IDFA recently told the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The comments were made in response to USDA's proposal to develop a universal definition in an effort to make it easier for USDA to provide accurate market reports on the product group.

Dry whey permeate refers to a group of byproducts gathered during the ultrafiltration process, where proteins are separated from whey. The industry currently uses a number of names for these permeates, including dry permeate, dairy product solids, dry whey permeate, de-proteinized whey, modified whey, reduced protein whey and permeate.

In its comments, IDFA explained that setting a standard or specification with minimum and maximum levels would limit the composition of dry whey permeate, because the name currently covers products with a wide range of protein, lactose and moisture contents. It could also interfere with the status of dairy product solids that have been classified as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) products.

"The existing regulation for dairy product solids is broad enough to allow for all compositional variations of dry whey permeate. If a specification or quality standard was set that was more restrictive, some products, despite meeting the requirements of the GRAS notification, would not meet USDA's requirements," IDFA states in its comments.

IDFA also pointed out that no market demand exists for a new or universal dry whey permeate definition. "Since the companies involved in the marketing of this product don't see problems that warrant such a request, there is no reason to develop one," the comments state.

USDA will review all comments received by the June 23 deadline before taking further action. To read IDFA's full comments, click here.

Posted July 3, 2006