Advocacy Group Seeks Files in FDA “Soy Milk” Definition

The Good Food Institute (GFI) has filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to disclose records “related
to FDA’s regulatory treatment of the common and usual name ‘soy
milk’ or ‘soymilk’ to refer to a liquid food derived from the cooking and
processing of whole soybeans with water.” Good Food Inst. v. FDA, No.
16-1052 (D.D.C., filed June 6, 2016).

The organization asserts that FDA has been inconsistent in its opinion of
“soy milk,” citing two warning letters to soy-milk producers requesting
them to use “soy beverage” or “soy drink” instead. “Notwithstanding
FDA’s varying positions on the matter, many major brands of soy milk
continue to label their products as ‘soy milk’ or ‘soymilk.’ This has
resulted in consumer confusion and an uneven competitive landscape,”
the complaint argues. GFI submitted Freedom of Information Act
requests to FDA in April 2016 and asserts that it only received a partial
response; its lawsuit now seeks to compel full disclosure of the documents
requested.

Issue 607