By Jamie Martin
The American Dairy Coalition (ADC), a farmer-led advocacy organization, has submitted an official comment to the Federal Register opposing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed Healthy Labeling Rule and the front-of-package (FOP) rating label for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. The FDA recently extended the comment deadline to July 15, 2025.
ADC argues that the proposed rule unfairly discriminates against real dairy products except for nonfat yogurt and nonfat milk due to outdated limits on saturated fat and sodium.
The coalition emphasizes that the rule overlooks the nutritional density of natural dairy, which contains several key nutrients that are under-consumed in typical low-fat diets.
In its four-page letter, ADC states:
"Allowing a 'healthy' label only on foods low in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat discriminates against many of the most nutrient-dense foods that contain under consumed nutrients of public health concern. The front-of-package ‘nutrition information box’ for rating saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar as high, medium, and low is also concerning because it causes confusion."
ADC further criticizes the FOP label, saying:
"To call the front-of-label rating box “nutrition information” is a misnomer. The most nutrient dense natural foods that are high in nutrients of public health concern are also above the thresholds being set for saturated fat and sodium. For example, most natural and minimally processed dairy foods, as well as all natural meats and other animal-derived products, would not be permitted to make a healthy claim or use the healthy label under the rule FDA is finalizing. This is a travesty to Making America Healthy Again."
The letter contends that many natural dairy items, meats, and other minimally processed animal products would not qualify for a "healthy" claim under the proposed standards, despite being rich in essential nutrients.
ADC points out that even nonfat milk and yogurt, the only dairy products likely to meet the thresholds, are often sweetened to improve taste after fat is removed. This defeats the purpose, as:
"Few adults and practically zero children will consume nonfat yogurt or nonfat milk without flavoring."
The coalition also argues that dairy products are penalized based on sodium content without acknowledging their broader nutritional value. According to ADC:
"Dairy contains 13 essential nutrients! Nutrition and health panels have already declared that Americans... do not consume enough dairy."
ADC concludes that the rule could worsen nutrient deficiencies, especially in children, and questions the continued reliance on low-fat dietary guidelines linked to rising obesity and chronic illnesses.
To read the ADC's comment in its entirety, please go here.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vwalakte
Categories: National