Definition of 'Milk' Must Not be Changed Under FDA / TPP Agreements

New Zealand's recent food safety agreement with the US FDA must not be allowed to force a redefinition of 'mIlk' that will threaten public health, as new proposals in the US threaten to do.

The FDA is open for public submissions on plans to change what can be labelled as "milk" being proposed by The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk ProducersFederation (NMPF).

The two organisations have filed a petition requesting the FDA “amend the standard of identity” for milk and 17 other dairy products.(1)

"There is concern that the mutual recognition agreement with the FDA could force lower standards onto New Zealand, including allowing misleading labelling that will impact public health," says Jon Carapiet, spokesman for GE free NZ in food and environment.

"The public need a commitment that any deals made under the TPPA and the recent FDA food safety agreement will not undermine New Zealand laws requiring GM labelling, and will not allow artificial sweeteners to be added in secret.”

It is against the public interest for the FDA and New Zealand's food authority to enable even more toxic chemicals such as 2,4-D to be used on food, and to make it OK to hide GMOs and other artificial ingredients.

The proposals now being considered add to growing concerns that the TPPA and the FDA safety agreement will weaken regulation needed to protect people.

It is unacceptable for international negotiations to water down standards or to increase risks to the public from toxic chemicals and genetic engineering in food.

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