N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 46: Declaration of policy

§ 46. Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared that the dairy

industry is a paramount industry of the state and the production,

processing, packaging, distribution and sale of milk products has become

an enterprise of vast economic importance to the state and of vital

importance to the consuming public of the state, and which should be

encouraged and promoted in the public interest. It is further declared

that milk and milk products have long been accepted by the consuming

public as wholesome and nutritious articles of food. Advances in food

technology have resulted in the development of a variety of products for

similar usage including dairy foods with different composition than

products now defined as well as products made with vegetable oils and

proteins from sources other than dairy products, products which are

similar in appearance, odor, or taste to dairy products, and which are

difficult to differentiate from dairy products. It is further declared

to be in the interest of the dairy industry and the consuming public to

promote and encourage the development of new and different dairy

products with varying proportions of fat, solids and other ingredients,

including wholesome ingredients not now permitted in dairy products but

which may be used without restriction in non-dairy products which are

similar in appearance, odor or taste to dairy products. It is also

declared to be in the interest of the dairy industry and particularly in

the interest of the consuming public, that to the fullest extent

possible, there be uniformity of definitions and standards for milk and

milk products and in the labeling of milk and milk products between the

various states to the end that there may be free movement of milk and

milk products between states, and further to the end that the

inefficiency, needless expense, and confusion caused by differences in

products sold under the same name, and differences in labeling of

identical products may be eliminated.