Modifications Made on Ohio Dairy Rule
US - After negative comments at a recent public hearing, Ohio has once more made changes to its proposed dairy labelling rule. However, the minor changes are not likely to quell opposition concerns.
28 April 2008
1 minute read
According to Food Navigator USA, the state has been deliberating how best to label milk derived from cows treated with growth hormones. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) had already proposed to reduce the size of an on-label Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclaimer that states: "no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from [the growth hormone] rbST-supplemented and non-rbST supplemented cows".
The rule essentially deals with what claims may or may not be made on the labels of milk and milk-based products distributed in Ohio, and ODA said it is trying to level the playing field for processors.
"It is the department's responsibility to ensure labels give consumers accurate and balanced information about the dairy products they purchase," said ODA director Robert Boggs. "We believe the amended dairy labeling rule meets this objective."
The amendments to the proposed rule are aimed at clarifying language requirements for dairy production and composition claims, as well as for font-size requirements with respect to the FDA disclaimer.
However, opponents from industry say these changes could unfairly cripple dairy producers not using hormones.
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