Letter
Dear Dr. Briczinski & Mr. McCue,
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) writes to you requesting and encouraging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) to work with yogurt manufacturers and others to update the language in the Standard of Identify for Yogurt (21 CFR Parts 130 and 131) and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). Some manufacturers making strained yogurt, often referred to as Greek yogurt, requires additional processing flexibility beyond what is currently written in the standard and the PMO.
Standards of identity are essential to the success of agricultural operations across the country and the PMO is essential for assuring the safety of Grade A dairy products. Due to increased varieties of yogurt products in the marketplace, there is a need for processing flexibility for yogurt manufacturers.
NASDA represents the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture in all 50 states and 4 U.S. territories. State agencies, including state departments of agriculture, play a vital role in implementing and enforcing our nation’s system of food safety and inspection laws. NASDA works on a wide variety of issues related to labeling., inspection, and regulation of raw and processed food (including meat, poultry, and seafood) and food production, processing and marketing methods and technologies to ensure human safety and nutrition.
We appreciate your time and consideration on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Ted McKinney
Chief Executive Officer
NASDA
Contact Information
Recipient:
Beth Panko Briczinski, Ph.D., Senior Science Advisor for Milk Safety
Casey McCue, Chair, National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments
Sender:
NASDA CEO Ted McKinney
Subject:
Standard of Identity for yogurt
