House Bill No. [insert number] aims to enhance the regulation of food and food safety in Louisiana, specifically concerning dairy products. The bill amends existing definitions of "milk" to clarify that it must be practically free from colostrum and obtained from healthy cows, while also expanding the definition to include milk from other hooved animals such as goats and sheep. Additionally, it introduces a new definition for "non-lactational dairy protein product," which refers to food products not derived from the natural lactation of mammals. The bill prohibits state agencies from purchasing or serving these non-lactational dairy protein products and restricts licensed processors, distributors, suppliers, and retailers from manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, or distributing them.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any non-lactational dairy protein product sold in the state must include a clear disclosure statement indicating that it is produced through microbial fermentation and not derived from mammalian lactation. The Louisiana Department of Health is tasked with enforcing these regulations, including prohibiting the sale of mislabeled products. Overall, the bill seeks to protect consumers by ensuring that dairy products meet specific standards and that non-lactational dairy protein products are clearly labeled and regulated.

Statutes affected:
HB783 Original: 3:4102(1), 40:881(A)