FDA asked to change milk identity standards

They have filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration asking that the Agency replace the standards of identity for lowfat and skim milk with just one standard of identity - milk. In that way, Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) descriptors (reduced fat, lowfat, light, nonfat or fat free) could be used with the term milk, where appropriate, to describe the lower fat and fat-free versions of milk. The 2% lowfat milk name now required by FDA for milk containing 2% milkfat and 5 grams of fat per serving does not meet NLEA's standards for "lowfat." If FDA agrees to the change, the current name would be changed to "2% reduced fat milk," and the package label would state the percentage reduction in fat as well as the actual amount of the reduction. One-percent and 1/2% milk would still be labeled lowfat, and milk that contains less than .5 grams of fat per serving would be labeled "nonfat" or "fat-free." Milk processors have been waging an aggressive ad campaign for their product, featuring prominent personalities sporting "milk moustaches." The promotion also includes the use of side panels on milk cartons. The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board provides carton converters with the promotional side panel. Processors pay only plate charges.