The Dairy Industry Is Determined to Pour Itself Down Our Throats
The U.S. government’s unwavering support for Big Dairy misleads the public and prioritizes the interests of one industry over others. By subsidizing dairy, the government contradicts the essence of the American dream and manipulates taxpayer funds for the benefit of a declining industry.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been promoting dairy consumption by assigning it its food group and encouraging the daily intake of three cups of dairy products, despite evidence showing that specific populations, such as Ashkenazi Jews, Native Americans, and Hispanics, have lower lactose tolerance compared to those of northern European descent.
Numerous studies have linked dairy consumption to increased cancer risks and higher rates of osteoporosis. However, the USDA continues to drive demand for dairy and has spent billions of dollars subsidizing the industry, exploiting the hard-earned money of American citizens.
To further protect the dairy industry, legislation like the Dairy Pride Act has been introduced to prevent plant-based product producers from using terms like milk, yogurt, and cheese on their labels. This move comes when consumer demand for plant-based milk alternatives, such as those made from oats, soybeans, almonds, and pistachios, is skyrocketing. This legislation is founded on competitive fears rather than solid ground and faces challenges due to the growing support for free choice and fair trade.
In the European Union, similar legislation, Amendment 171, sought to ban traditional dairy terms for plant-based products but was withdrawn by the European Parliament. In the United States, a court ruling supported the freedom of expression for plant-based brands like Miyoko’s Kitchen, allowing them to use terms like “butter” and “dairy" in their product marketing and labeling.
The rise of plant-based milk reflects an authentic version of the American dream, offering consumers a variety of healthy alternatives that align with their ethical values, contribute to climate change mitigation, and reduce gastrointestinal distress. The plant-based milk market has experienced significant growth, reaching a value of $2.5 billion in the U.S. alone, without relying on USDA marketing funds. Oat milk, in particular, has a significantly lighter environmental footprint than cow’s milk, emitting 70 percent fewer greenhouse gasses and using 93 percent less water.
The U.S. must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet its climate change commitments, but supporting industrial agriculture like Big Dairy contradicts that goal. Freedom of choice means empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their consumption. The American dream is about making choices that prioritize personal and planetary health, not serving the interests of a dying industry.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
