The California Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously that the California fluid milk standards are the only standards that apply in the state. The decision is a significant victory for the consumers of California and for the dairy industry.

In ruling conclusively with the People, the Supreme Court has finally laid to rest the last of the arguments made by Shamrock Foods Company, an Arizona dairy processor, to dismantle the state's nutritional standards for dairy products.

Consumers in the state can be assured that the milk they purchase in the stores, or that is fed to their children in school, will be of the highest quality and meet the compositional standards of California. California's dairy producers are confident that consumers will receive a better tasting product than milk buyers receive in other states.

According to Ray Souza, Chairman of Western United Dairymen (WUD) and a Turlock dairy producer, "This is an outstanding victory for the people of California. Our association has been in the forefront of the standards issue on the national scene. We are very pleased that our highest court supports WUD's position. I'd like to thank our coalition partners in this success."

Milk is composed of water, milkfat, and nonfat milk solids. All nutrients, including vitamins, calcium and protein are in the fat and nonfat solids. The nutritional standards that were set by the California legislature in 1967 established the minimum levels of fat and nonfat solids that must be in the different fluid milk products sold in the state. Reduced fat milk products have been balance with additional nonfat solids in place of the removed fat to enhance those products' flavor and nutrition.

The federal government has also established a minimum standard for milk composition. However, the levels of milkfat and nonfat solids set by federal regulations are lower than those set by California. In 1997, California was granted an exemption form the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, which established uniform national standards of identity for foods, to allow the state to continue to enforce its higher standards. The court's decision supports that exemption and the clear intent of California legislature to continue to set a higher standard for the benefit of the state's inhabitants.

Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen, noted, "Governor Davis and Attorney General Lockyer worked very hard to win this case for the citizens of California. Secretary Bill Lyons of CDFA has worked tirelessly on this effort. This decision will benefit his compliance efforts as he ensures high quality milk meeting California's standards reaches consumers."

Western United Dairymen is a California milk producers' trade association representing 1,200 diary families located throughout the state. The organization has offices in Sacramento, Modesto, and Chino.

Printed with permission from California Farm Bureau Federation. Visit their website at www.cfbf.com.