Former eastAUSmilk co-CEO Shaughn Morgan
(Photo: LinkedIn)

April 14, 2023

eastAUSmilk – the successor to the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation – has reiterated calls for truth in labelling when it comes to dairy products.

Shaughn Morgan, who retired as co-CEO earlier this month, said the Dairy Pride Act had been introduced in the United States which aims to correct unfair practices of mislabelling non-dairy products and enforce correct labelling.

The Act, if passed, would protect the integrity of dairy products by requiring that non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae no longer be labelled with dairy terms such as “milk”, “yogurt” or “cheese”.

“What has occurred in the USA highlights a similar issue in Australia,” Mr Morgan said.

“The Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code states that milk is derived from the ‘mammary secretions of milking animals’. It is not crushed ‘nuts’ mixed with water and then fortified.

“Milk is of immense nutritional value containing nine essential nutrients as well as calcium to build and maintain healthy bone strength for growing children and the elderly. This has been confirmed by numerous scientific studies.

“In January 2017, I said consumers should not be confused between the nutritional value of cow’s milk as against plant-based drinks.

“This was confirmed at the time by the European Court of Justice when it ruled in favour of the need to differentiate between dairy and plant-derived products.

“Supermarket customers would benefit from ‘truth in labelling’ as it would allow greater consumer awareness about the nutritional differences.

“To obtain this goal, it has been suggested that a voluntary code could be introduced. Voluntary codes do not work. They are honoured more in the breach than followed. The mandatory dairy code of conduct illustrates this point about the need for proper enforcement as against voluntary codes.

“It is time for Federal Government action to ensure existing regulations deliver accurate food labelling for products.

“Of course, plant-based drinks should continue to be available for people who wish to buy such products whether it be for health or medical reasons.

“The correct labelling of ‘milks’ should occur now to ensure that supermarket customers can make informed decisions about the milk they buy.  Iconic dairy terms for dairy farmers should be protected. This should not be so hard or take so long.”


 

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