Virginia Law Limiting Use of “Milk” Advances

Following a vote in the Virginia House Agriculture Subcommittee, the state’s House of Delegates will reportedly consider a bill that would limit the use of “milk” to describe the “lacteal secretion” from specific animals, including cows, sheep, goats, yaks, reindeer, water buffalo, horses and donkeys. During the subcommittee discussion, one delegate reportedly suggested adding “dairy” instead of removing “milk” because the term and associated words are used regularly for products that are not milk substitutes, such as “milk of magnesia” or “body butter.” If enacted, the bill would not take effect until 11 states have passed similar legislation.