18 Jan 2006
NFU opposes changes in cheese definition

Ah, one of the hidden government regulations that most folks are blithely unaware of... definitions.

Right now cheese has to be made from milk - what a concept! But the definition of cheese is about to change, allowing the use of so-called "milk protein concentrates" and "ultra-filtered milk" in addition to or instead of real milk. Put in layman's terms, this is like allowing Starbucks to sell chicory beverages and call them "coffee".

If you've traveled (or lived in) Europe or most of the rest of the world, you probably noticed the difference in butter. This is entirely due to the application of government definition: butter in the US must contain a minimum of 80% butterfat by weight: mechanically concentrated and produced butter usually has slightly more than this, but traditionally-made butter may have as little as 65% butterfat.

So the next time somebody tells you that butter will make you fat, remind them that it's American butter they're talking about, and tell'em why.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Farmers Union told the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it opposes its proposal to change the definition of cheese.

(link) [The Prairie Star]

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