§ 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.