Release No. 050-06

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2006 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture today issued a recommended decision to amend the Class I fluid milk product definition for all federal milk marketing orders. The decision was based on the record of a hearing held June 20-23, 2005, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Specifically, the decision recommends maintaining the current 6.5 percent nonfat milk solids criteria and incorporating an equivalent 2.25 percent true protein criteria in determining if a product meets the fluid milk product definition. It also proposes to clarify how milk and milk-derived ingredients should be priced under all orders.

USDA is also proposing that, regardless of packaging, “drinkable” yogurt products containing at least 20 percent yogurt, keifir and products designed to be meal replacements be exempted from the fluid milk product definition.

The recommended decision will be published in the May 17 Federal Register. Public comments are due July 17, 2006 and should be sent to the Hearing Clerk, Stop 9200, Room 1031, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9200. Comments may also be submitted at the Federal E-Rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov or through e-mail to amsdairycomments@usda.gov.

For additional information about the decision, contact:

Northeast: Erik F. Rasmussen

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 51478, Boston, MA 02205-1478

Tel. (617) 737-7199; email: erasmussen@fedmilk1.com

Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly, Jr.

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 18030, Louisville, KY 40261-0030

Tel. (502) 499-0040; email: friedly@malouisville.com

Florida and Southeast: Sue L. Mosley

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 491778, Lawrenceville, GA 30049

Tel. (770) 682-2501; email: smosley@fmmatlanta.com

Upper Midwest: H. Paul Kyburz

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

Suite 210, 4570 West 77th St., Minneapolis, MN 55435-5037

Tel. (952) 831-5292; email: pkyburz@fmma30.com

Central: Robert E. Vander Linden USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 14650, Shawnee Mission, KS 66285-4650

Tel. (913) 495-9300; email: vanderlinden@fmmacentral.com

Mideast: David Z. Walker

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 5102, Brunswick, OH 44212

Tel. (330) 225-4758; email: dwalker@fmmaclev.com

Pacific Northwest and Arizona-Las Vegas: James R. Daugherty

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

1930-220th St., SE., Suite 102 Bothell, WA 98021-8471

Tel. (425) 487-6009; email: jdaugherty@fmmaseattle.com

Southwest: J. Richard Fleming

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 110939, Carrollton, TX 75011-0939

Tel. (972) 245-6060; email: sw.order@dallasma.com