Udderly ludicrous? Animal rights advocates require milk is called ‘bovine mammary secretions’ in row with requirements authorities
- It follows DEFRA assistance recommending non-dairy brand names to clarify terms on labels
Trading Standards Officials should brand milk ‘bovine mammary secretions’ if they want to be honest about labelling in their overzealous crackdown on non-dairy products, the world’s largest animal rights organisation has said.
Guidance commissioned by the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) recommended that non-dairy brands avoid using the terms ‘yoghurt-style’ or ‘cheddar-type’, as well as describing almond and oat milk as ‘mylk’ to avoid confusing customers.
But now the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have recommended the Whitehall department go one further in striving for accuracy and brand dairy milk as ‘bovine mammary secretions’.
In a letter to farming minister Mark Spencer seen by the Daily Mail, the group wrote: ‘Consumers are not the least bit confused by vegan milks, but they have been misled by the dairy industry about the impact of cows’ milk production on animals, the environment, and human health.
‘PETA will support your proposals to ensure ‘clear differentiation’ between plant-based and dairy milk, as long as the language used is transparent for both.
‘The label ‘bovine mammary secretions’ should clear up any misunderstandings.’
PETA said milk should be referred to as ‘bovine mammary secretions’ for clarity
‘In accordance with your focus on consumer protection, the label ‘bovine mammary secretions’ should help the public understand that they are ingesting pus-filled mother’s milk from a cow.
‘Cows aren’t the only animals who make milk for their babies, and their mammary secretions aren’t meant for humans any more than cats’ milk, rats’ milk, or bats’ milk is.’
Elisa Allen, PETA’s Vice-President of Programmes, added last night: ‘Every financial projection verifies what we see in the supermarkets: consumers are ditching dairy in droves, and a desperate attempt to ban the term ‘vegan milk’ will not slow this growing trend.
‘DEFRA could help actually clarify things for consumers by marking dairy products accurately, using PETA’s suggested label, ‘bovine mammary secretions.’
DEFRA have previously said the proposals from the Food Standards and Information Focus Group (FSIFG), commissioned in 2022, are being ‘carefully considered’.
A summary of the submitted proposal, seen by the Daily Mail, claims it ‘seeks to ensure consistent and clear…differentiation between dairy and plant-based products.’
Chocolate Mylk, a dairy-free alternative. DEFRA recommended almond and oat milk alternatives be branded as ‘mylk’ to avoid confusing customers
Plant-based lobbying groups have warned that the measures, which have already been rejected by the EU and the US, are far too draconian and insult the intelligence of consumers.
Stephanie Holmes of Upfield, the company behind spreads such as I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, said: ‘This is totally out of keeping and out of touch with the way people act on a day-to-day basis.
‘Consumers aren’t stupid and aren’t confused by these commonly used names.’
Defra was approached for comment on the matter.
