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USDA Pushes Back Deadline for Comments on Class I Definition On September 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will accept comments through January 31, 2005, regarding a proposed expansion of the federal fluid milk product (Class I) definition. As reported in last week's News Update, IDFA and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) requested this extension in a joint September 23 letter to USDA, noting that the dairy industry needs more time to gather and analyze data on this issue.The August 2003 proposal, which is aimed at new milk-based drinks, seeks to change the Class I definition to include all milk and milk ingredients in all beverage products. However, NMPF and IDFA believe that it is unclear what effect, if any, these drinks have had on the dairy market. While there are several industry projects underway to study this matter, none has a full year's data yet to analyze. The dairy groups also requested that USDA postpone any hearing on this subject until the second quarter of 2005. In its response, USDA did not specify a timetable for a possible hearing, noting that "if USDA concludes a hearing should be held, all known interested persons will be mailed a copy of the hearing notice." To read USDA's full announcement, click here. For background information on this issue or to read the IDFA-NMPF letter, click here.
Posted October 12, 2004
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