The Definition of Milk

milk
noun 1. an opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young.

At 5:45 am in the morning, on the AM radio station I listen to there is a Farm Report where they talk about prices of calves and pork bellies, the cotton crop and yield estimates.  On Monday, however, they were discussing the definition of milk.  It seems the Food and Drug Administration (at the behest of the Dairy lobby) is now going to start strictly enforcing the definition of milk.

As you may have noticed, there is now almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, etc.  None of the plants that produce these beverages are mammals and, thus, cannot lactate.  For years now, they've co-opted the word milk to connote that these nut "juices" have equivalent health and nutrient benefits as milk.  The FDA says, "no more."  For some reason almond juice just doesn't have the same ring to it, now does it?  Milk will be milk and all the copycats will have to find a new term.

On a similar note, I heard that there is now something called vegan butter.  It is made with coconut oil.  But wait, I thought that a butter substitute made with vegetable or plant based oils is called "margarine?"  Maybe that will be now called a 'spread' or another term.  Will peanut butter have to be renamed, too?  It's all so confusing.

We love our milk and dairy products.  They taste great and are great for you.  We think everyone should drink it - the real stuff, that is.

"Get off your horse and drink your milk."  - John Wayne