Special Supplement to The Milkweed October 2002 $2.00 Each MMilkilk ProteinProtein ConcentrateConcentrate What IS This MPC ‘Stuff?’ by Pete Hardin What is Protein Concentrate (MPC)? Debating MPC issues is tough, because the fed- eral Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no definition for this high-protein dairy powder. No definition exists for MPC because MPC is NOT an approved food ingredient under FDA rules. Hard to believe that FDA has no actual defini- tion for MPC. FDA requires all L-E-G-A-L ingredi- ents in human foods to pass exacting safety tests, defined by the “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) criteria. According to statements by high- level FDA personnel: • the government has not conducted GRAS safety tests on MPCs. • no private firm has informed FDA of GRAS safety tests completed on MPCs. Pasteurized Process • no inquiries have been made by FDA about GRAS Foods tests conducted by firms listing MPC on their food products’ ingredients labels. These products are illegal. They are marketed as “Pasteurized Process Cheese See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. Food” but contain MPC. Pasteurized Food is a standard of identity under FDA So, what is MPC? Perhaps the best answer to laws. FDA rules specify that no unapproved ingredients (like MPC) may be in Pasteurized Process that question comes by stating what MPC is NOT. Cheese Food products. MPC is not legal. Despite that fact, tens of thousands of metric tons of MPC enter the U.S. each year—for use in human foods. That data is available from the U.S. Kraft Packages Detail MPC Use Customs Service. Adulterated. Misbranded. Illegal. (g) “It purports to be or is represented as a food Thank you, Kraft Foods. Dairy analysts were We must go beyond FDA to achieve a defini- for which a definition and standard of identity has puzzled, wondering where all that imported Milk tion for MPC. The World Trade Organization (WTO) been prescribed by regulations such as provided by Protein Concentrate (MPC) was being used. But then has definitions for MPCs. WTO is evolving as the Section 401, unless it 1) conforms to such definition we carefully inspected the ingredients labels on many global rule-making authority for food safety, stan- and standard, and its label bears the name of the food Kraft Foods products in supermarkets. Thank you, dards and definitions. If WTO rules evolve as specified in the definition and standard and, 2) inso- Kraft Foods, for having the integrity to list MPC as globalist bureaucrats hope, WTO standards for dairy far as may be required by regulations, the common an ingredient on over three dozen of your consumer product safety will take precedence over domestic names of optional ingredients (other than spices, fla- food products sold in supermarkets across this na- rules. WTO rules will supercede all national rules voring, and coloring) present in the food. tion. on import regulation. When fully in place, WTO dairy Kraft “Singles” that contain MPC are sold as Special thanks, Kraft Foods, for using MPC in standards will be the standard for the global dairy “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food”—an FDA stan- most versions of Kraft “Singles.” No doubt about it: trade. Nations that try to restrict dairy imports based dard of identity. Presence of MPC renders such Kraft Kraft “Singles” containing MPC are illegal. Kraft upon quality or safety issues can be penalized if the “Singles” illegally adulterated. identifies “Singles” as “Pasteurized Process Cheese imports in question meet WTO standards. Food.” That’s a standard of identity under federal FDA’s simple definition of “adulterated” goes WTO defines MPC as a dry blend of dairy in- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules. Zero like this: “Something in a product that should not be gredients, ranging from 42 to 90% protein. That’s unapproved ingredients are allowed in cheese and there, or is missing, that creates a safety or quality the simple definition. (For a more technical discus- cheese products sold under FDA standards of iden- concern.” Should MPC be in Kraft “Singles” that sion, see page C of this special section.) tity. are sold as “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food?” (WTO wonks are trying to make dairy prod- Take a close look at the package of Kraft Same for ’s “.” In sev- ucts and ingredients from water buffalo milk legal. “Singles” at the top of this page. You see Kraft eral versions of “Lunchables,” Kraft Foods includes Water buffalo are a key dairy animal in Third World “Singles”—American—“Pasteurized Process Cheese a cheese component identified as “Pasteurized Pro- nations—just don’t ask too many questions about Food” on the front panel. cess Cheese Food.” On the list of ingredients, one safety and quality of the resulting dairy products.) Turn over the package to see the list of ingredi- finds “Milk Protein Concentrate.” Adulterated. Mis- It’s obvious that MPCs are being used in hu- ents: branded. Illegal. On a wider basis, critics charge that any hu- man foods. The Milkweed has collected nearly four “Milk, whey, water, milkfat, MILK PROTEIN man foods containing MPC are illegal. MPC, very dozen human foods and dietary supplements that list CONCENTRATE ….” on their ingredients’ labels. Some of the nation’s big- simply, is not an approved food ingredient under FDA gest firms (Kraft Foods, Hershey Foods, Slim-Fast, No doubt about it. Kraft “Singles”—marketed rules. Mead/Johnson Nutritionals) use MPCs in a variety as “Pasteurized Process Cheese Product”—contains of human food, nutrition and pharmaceutical prod- Milk Protein Concentrate. It’s right on the label. ucts. (See page F in this special section for our list of “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food” is defined Help get the word out! MPC-laden human food products.) under FDA rules by 21 C.F.R., Subpart B, section This special report was produced by MPCs enter the U.S. from a variety of coun- 133.173. MPC is not an approved ingredient in “Pas- the staff of The Milkweed, a dairy tries around the world. New Zealand and Australia teurized Process Cheese Food.” marketing report for farmers. Addi- ship are the two biggest sources. But many other FDA rules specify, under Section 402 [343], that tional copies of this report are avail- nations send MPCs to the U.S., including some of a human food is “Misbranded” if: able for $2.00 each, minimum order lesser sanitary and human health conditions, like In- of 5 copies. Send your check to: The dia, China, Argentina, Lithuania, Mexico and Poland. (a) “If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular.” Milkweed, P.O. Box 10, Brooklyn, WI 53521 Continued on Page B (b) “It is offered for sale under the name of an- other food.” MPC Supplement -- A Boycott of MPC Food Products Launched Farm Groups & The Milkweed Blaska warned that the MPC battle is only a Zimmerman acknowledged faith that the Lord smaller part of a greater conflict—the global “Free- will provide for her family, but she worried who Announce Boycott of Human Trade” danger. would provide the milk for this nation if so many Foods Containing Milk dairy farmers go out of business due to horrid milk Protein Concentrate Mary Zimmerman, a Green County, Wiscon- prices. sin dairy farm woman, spoke of her family’s chal- by Pete Hardin lenges trying to keep their dairy farm. Zimmerman Joel Greeno, a Monroe County, Wisconsin related how in early September, the Farmers’ Home dairy producer and president of the American Raw On October 3, two farm groups and The Milk- Administration served a 90-day foreclosure notice on Milk Producers Pricing Assn., demanded that weed announced they were starting a consumer boy- her dairy, giving the family 90 days to come up with Wisconsin’s agriculture department remove from cott against human foods containing Milk Protein the $183,000 outstanding loan volume. The family supermarket shelves all Kraft “Singles” and Concentrate (MPC). has farmed for over 30 years on their 260-acre farm. “Lunchables” marketed as “Pasteurized Process Further demands include: Zimmerman blamed low milk prices for many Cheese Food” but containing MPC. Greeno issued of the family’s economic challenges. She noted that an October 21 deadline for state officials to pull ob- • That Wisconsin’s state Department of Agri- during the past three years, there only had been about viously illegal products from store shelves. If not, culture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) five or six months of decent milk prices. Zimmerman Greeno promised that angry dairy farmers would visit immediately pull from shelves obviously illegal prod- cited the “chronic milk price wasting disease” that’s the state Capitol shortly thereafter – about Oct. 23. ucts such as Kraft Food’s “Singles” and afflicting virtually all dairy farms, due to imports. Further, Greeno asked for a moratorium against “Lunchables,” in instances where these products are farm foreclosures. described by the manufacturer as “Pasteurized Pro- She told an unnerving tale of how, on a recent cess Cheese Food” that contain MPC. evening she was leaving the barn when a stranger Pete Hardin, editor/publisher of The Milkweed, drove up to the farm. The visitor, an older woman, • That a moratorium be placed on farm foreclo- detailed the specific illegality of products such as asked, “Are you Mary Zimmerman?” When Mary sures because of the impact that massive dairy prod- Kraft “Singles” and “Lunchables” marketed the way replied affirmatively, the visitor then asked if Mary’s uct imports are having on farm milk prices. they are while containing MPC. Hardin described the husband, Paul, was also at home. (He was finishing murky sector of MPCs, and expressed the general up in the barn.) opinion that since MPC is not an FDA approved food The two groups involved in the protest are the ingredient, all human foods containing MPC are ille- American Raw Milk Producers Pricing Assn. and “I have something for each of you,” the visitor gal. Family Farm Defenders. Both are small, Wisconsin- relied in a practiced, syrupy voice. That “something” Hardin compared the battle vs. Kraft Foods and based activist groups. was a summons ordering the Zimmermans to appear in court within 45 days to pay up a feed bill in arrears MPCs as a “David vs. Goliath” struggle, in which Goliath’s (i.e., Kraft’s) opponents must rely upon Speakers at the October 3 press conference in- … or else. Of course, since the Zimmermans have unconventional weapons, just as David discarded ar- cluded: already been served with foreclosure notice by FmHA, the summons for a feed bill in arrears was mor and a spear to slay Goliath with just a sling and stone. Gregory Blaska, a Dane County, Wisconsin mere icing on the cake. Hardin warned that MPC imports were just part dairyman who has recently stepped down after 30+ What transpired next was most interesting. The of a “tidal wave” of imports destroying dairy prod- years as chairman of World Dairy Expo. Blaska re- summons-server admitted she was fatigued, and that ucts. He stated that for January-June 2002, imported ceived Expo’s “Dairy Industry Person of the the Year” she’d been delivering such summons to many dairy equaled 5.2% of total U.S. cheese produc- award in recognition of his 50+ years’ involvement farmers in Green County for several weeks. tion. When adding another one or two percent of in dairy issues and organizations. He has served on U.S. “cheese” volume for MPC use, Hardin estimated both state and national promotion boards, as well as “This is terrible. Somebody’s got to do some- that imports (cheese and ingredients used in cheese in many cooperative posts. thing about it,” the summons-server said emotion- ally, nearly in tears. Apparently, businesses with ac- vats) may make up six to seven percent of total U.S. Blaska angrily criticized how several thousand counts in arrears from dairy farmers are packing cheese consumption. That’s a price-killer. school children attending World Dairy Expo the prior courthouse records with filings trying to get money day (October 2) had received free samples of Kraft’s due out from USDA under the “Market Income Loss A working list of human foods containing MPCs “Handi-Snacks”—a snack food whose processed Contract” payments … whenever USDA gets its act was distributed at the press conference, and is printed cheese component includes “MPC.” together on that one. on Page F of this special supplement of The Milk- weed. The press conference received good coverage. Why Won’t FDA Enforce Rules Against MPC Use? On the front page of the next day’s Wisconsin State Journal, a big headline announced: “Farmers want Despite ample publicity and pleas from state comes under the auspices of the Department of Health state to pull cheese with foreign milk protein.” The regulators the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Human Services (DHHS). That agency’s secre- paper reported: has refused to enforce food safety standards against tary is former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thomp- “However, state Agriculture Secretary Jim MPC use. FDA has even refused to take action against son. During Thompson’s DHHS confirmation pro- Harsdorf said that he already is working with federal cheese products, such as Kraft “Singles,” marketed cess in early 2001, anti-smoking activists in Wiscon- officials to stop cheesemakers from using milk pro- using FDA standards of identity, but still containing sin noted that, while governor, Thompson took nu- tein concentrate, commonly known as MPC, in stan- an unapproved food ingredient (MPC). merous world trips paid for by Philip Morris. dardized cheese products. Why won’t FDA act? Liken FDA to the traffic FDA’s failure to enforce food safety standards “Harsdorf said such use of the imported cop who can’t pull over every speeder. FDA claims against Kraft Foods is killing U.S. dairy farmers. product violates federal rules.” it’s using “regulatory discretion” in not enforcing Imports of Milk Protein Concentrate are just a part MPC laws. “Regulatory discretion” is a bureaucratic of a bigger tidal wave of imports breaking prices for BINGO! When he assumed office, did Harsdorf buzzword for not having enough resources to do the both dairy commodities and farm milk. All these take an oath of office to uphold the laws of the state? job. FDA uses state agencies as its local enforcement events are part of a wider political trade-off. arms. Each state has one agency responsible for en- forcing U.S. food safety and standards rules within that state. These agencies work in tandem with FDA. Kraft Puts MPC on Ingredient Panels Thus, if FDA were to decide that products such as Kraft “Singles” were illegal, enforcement would money … or more explicitly … about lower costs cost fifty, 37-cent stamps affixed to a letter, plus Continued from Page A for food manufacturers. maybe a few phone calls. In summary, the “regula- Thus, the MPC furor features: tory discretion” crapola spewed by FDA is just an (See list of MPC source nations on page G of this excuse for not throwing the book at Kraft Foods. special section.) • an evolving scandal over FDA’s failure to enforce FDA has money. In recent months, FDA has Some nations listed as MPC source nations have the nation’s food safety standards. sent dairy plant inspectors around the world, inspect- major health problems such as “Mad Cow Disease,” • illegal use of an unapproved human food product ing plants for compliance with the U.S. Grade A Pas- Foot and Mouth Disease … even Bubonic Plague (in by Kraft Foods and many other food manufacturers. teurized Milk Ordinance, the Grade A dairy sanita- India). And there can be no missing the fact that a • documented human and animal diseases and food tion program. Earlier this year, FDA listed as its strong correlation exists between nations sending contaminants in nations shipping MPC to the United sole top dairy priority the extension of U.S. Grade MPCs (and other dry dairy powders like caseinates) States. A sanitary standards to foreign milk plants! into the U.S. and those same nations’ roles in inter- Few firms are better locked into the Bush ad- national drug trafficking. In this special section, The Milkweed tries to ministration than Kraft Foods, and its parent firm, Why do many U.S. food manufacturers use pull the wraps off a food safety/contamination scan- Philip Morris Companies. In Washington, D.C., FDA MPCs, when in fact MPCs are not approved for hu- dal that involves billions of dollars of MPC-laden man foods? Because MPCs are cheaper than U.S.- human foods sold to consumers in this nation. What B -- MPC Supplement produced dairy proteins. The MPC issue is all about is MPC? Small wonder MPC is controversial!!! MPC Battle Critical in the What is MPC? FDA has no definition for MPC. But War Against ‘Free-Trade’ three types of concentrated dairy protein products have been referred to as MPC. Let’s by Pete Hardin The MPC battle features imported (lower-cost) try to sort them out. dairy protein ingredients entering the country with- Military analogies are a dime a dozen, but …in out restriction. Once in, MPCs are used in human Ultra-Filtered MPC: In 2001, about the greater scheme, the MPC issue is a critical battle foods, including to boost cheese output. MPCs have 87% of all MPCs entering the U.S. came from in a bigger war: “Free-Trade.” no definition under FDA rules. MPCs are not an ap- Australia ands New Zealand. Most MPC The MPC battle features dairy commodity and proved food ingredient under FDA rules. MPCs ar- sourced from “down under” is manufactured farm milk prices driven down in part by a tidal wave rive in the U.S. from many countries—many of which using membrane technology that removes of imported dairy ingredients. Dairy farmers are col- have appalling dairy sanitary conditions. much of the water and lactose before the lapsing financially under strain from milk prices akin Meanwhile, FDA—the federal agency suppos- remaining material is dried. The product is to 1978 levels. And many cheese plants are imper- edly protecting the safety and integrity of U.S. con- promoted by sellers as technically superior to iled by low margins and the specter of so many dairy sumer food products—does nothing. FDA’s failure “blended” MPCs. farmers quitting if prices don’t improve. to halt processors’ use of this unapproved food in- Consumers? They’re paying peak prices for gredient actually encourages greater use of MPCs “BLENDS”: “Blended” MPCs come cheese at the supermarket, while as taxpayers they’re and other such imported ingredients. from virtually all source nations except New sucking up costs to: Zealand and Australia. “Blended” MPCs consist of nonfat dry milk (36% protein) to • buy hundreds of millions of pounds of surplus non- If MPC is the battle, the greater war is “Free- which casein (about 90% protein) is added. fat dry milk through USDA. Trade.” Globalization of international dairy food stan- The ratio of nonfat dry milk to casein in • pay several billion dollars as “welfare” payments dards and safety regulations is taking place through “blends” depends upon how much protein to struggling dairy farmers. the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) authority. content the end-user wants. • underwrite export subsidies for U.S. dairy commodi- U.S. agencies, such as FDA and USDA, are actively Critics scorn blends as end-running U.S. ties. helping write global rules for dairy product standards import tariffs and quotas. Technically, adding that, when finalized, would become binding on par- casein derivatives should result in the end Dairy farmers, cheese plant operators and con- ticipating nations. These global standards are being products (if cheese) being labeled “imitation.” sumers … all face a lose-lose situation with MPCs. created by Codex Alimentarius, a previously obscure All this mess in a deficit milk-producing nation? (In branch of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Ultra-Filtered U.S. Farm Milk: Some recent years, U.S. dairy farmers have produced less Organization. large dairies have on-farm facilities that milk than the nation’s population has consumed.) Worst of the worst in this rewriting of global concentrate raw milk by removing about two- dairy product standards and safety rules? Codex is thirds of the water. These processes concen- proposing that milk from water buffaloes be allowed trate volume equivalent to two and a half What About Making as an ingredient in cheeses such as and trailers of milk into one trailer (by removing Cheddar. If these rules pass, the U.S. could not keep water). Milk is then sold to cheese plants. MPCs in the U.S.? out cheese products made from water buffalo milk. Despite the fact that an experimental permit Kraft Foods’ talking heads lament the fact that Water buffalo are commonly milked in Third World issued in 1996 by FDA for this practice they can’t buy MPCs produced in the U.S. They’ll nations where dairy sanitation is virtually non-exis- expired in 1999, sale and use of such products be pleased to know that Dairy Farmers of America tent. continue. (DFA—the nation’s largest dairy co-op) is propos- Global “Free-Trade” threatens to financially Further, FDA is allowing some cheese ing to do just that at a milk plant in Portales, New devastate U.S. dairy farmers through lower-cost im- plants to remove water from farm milk by Mexico. The project includes DFA’s “buddy,” New ported dairy ingredients and products. Consumer ultra-filtration, and ship the resulting concen- Zealand Milk Products, as a co-investor. safety? An afterthought, in the grand scheme of trated product to another cheese plant within “Free-Trade.” The big corporations that control the their own system, a “plant-to-plant” set-up. What’s wrong with making MPCs in the U.S.? nation’s food supply want “Free-Trade” as a source Actually, several things, starting with price. of cheaper raw product costs. What is MPC? Lacking a specific FDA To be priced competitively with global compe- Imports not only cost less, but they bust the price definition, MPC is whatever anybody wants to tition, domestic MPCs would only yield about $5 or of U.S.-produced farm products. call it. Lacking FDA approval through GRAS $6/cwt. (including the milk fat portion of the raw That’s what “Free-Trade” is all about. Con- (Generally Regarded As Safe) procedures, call milk). No dairy farmer wants to make milk to get sumer safety be d _ _ _ _ d. MPCs “illegal.” paid $5 or $6/cwt. Thus, DFA’s scheme to make do- mestic MPCs would require massive subsidy from the federal government to even pay the $9.90/cwt. support price. Congress Kills MPC Tariffs/Import Quota Bill Further, proponents of this idea have issued no In early October, word came from Washington, One good thing about H.R. 1786: Several dairy studies or evidence on the quality of dairy products D.C. that congressional negotiators had killed legis- processing firms admitted to the House Ways and (such as cheese) made from MPCs. lation in the House of Representatives that called for Means Committee that they are using MPCs. Those import quotas and higher tariffs on imported Milk firms include Kraft, Dean Foods and Sorrento Yet papers presented by a food scientist from Protein Concentrates. Lactalis. the University of Guelph (in Ontario Province, That action is probably good. Canada) clearly demonstrate that cheeses made from The House Bill (H.R. 1786) had been languish- MPCs have both reduced aging characteristics and ing virtually unattended. Its sponsors had not even FDA Cracks Down on Unapproved reduced physical properties (such as melting). held any hearings based on curious advice from the Ingredients in Dietary dairy co-op lobby, the National Milk Producers Fed- Supplements, But Not MPC Before DFA goes too far in building MPC pro- eration. Since NMPF’s two largest co-op members, duction at Portales (and seeks government subsidies Dairy Farmers of America and Land O’Lakes, use Go figure. In 2001, FDA announced a crack- for that project), perhaps some study about the qual- and import MPCs, it’s hard to know if NMPF’s ef- down on use of unapproved ingredients in the vast ity and functional characteristics of MPC-derived forts extend beyond the symbolic. category of diet supplements. Some of these con- “cheese” should be independently researched. If NMPF supports “Free-Trade” and its goals sumer “fad” remedies were getting out of hand, ac- tually causing human health problems. (Note: New Zealand, which makes cheeses that of reducing tariffs and quotas for international trade, must be of quality and age well, does not use MPC how could the co-op lobby support H.R. 1786, with But in the area of dairy products and MPCs, for cheese production.) its proposal for higher tariffs and tighter quotas? FDA does nothing. Defects in H.R. 1786 (and companion legisla- How can FDA crack down on unapproved in- Low returns for domestic MPC production? tion in the Senate) include: gredients in diet supplements, which consumers take Government subsidies to underwrite those low re- • proposed payments by the U.S. government voluntarily, and not also crack down on unapproved turns? Possible poor quality cheese resulting from to foreign MPC importers, due to the harm they’d dairy ingredients (like MPC) used in dairy products. MPC use in the vat? suffer from higher U.S. quotas and tariffs. Many consumers unwittingly consume unapproved MPCs in their dairy products. • boosting total levels of import quotas for these It’s obvious that DFA is merely fronting for the What and why FDA acts, or doesn’t act, raises products. New Zealanders in the project proposing to make many questions. MPC at Portales, New Mexico. All they want to do • leaving the nation’s border with Mexico wide is produce some domestic MPC to run interference open. The killed legislation would have exempted MPC Supplement -- C for massive imports. Mexico. Kraft patents cheeses and cheese products with water buffalo milk! Recent Kraft ‘Cheese’ Patents Heavy on MPCs & Water

Publisher’s note: This article is not easy read- ing, because of heavy reliance upon quotes Kraft’s Recent MPC Patents from U.S. Patent Office applications submit- ted by Kraft Foods. Don’t get bogged down Since 1996 Kraft secured 10 patents related to the use of Milk Protein Concentrates. in technical mumbo-jumbo. Read this piece at your own level, keeping in mind the basic PAT. NO. Title point: what does Kraft want to put in your 1 6,416,797 Process for making a wheyless cheese using transglutaminase cheese. 2 6,406,736 Process for making products without whey separation 3 6,406,724 Natural biogenerated cheese flavoring system by John Bunting 4 6,372,268 Wheyless process for production of natural mozzarella cheese 5 6,303,160 High moisture cream cheese texture control As Kraft researches, so shall many tens of mil- 6 6,270,814 Incorporation of whey into process cheese lions of U.S. consumers eat. Yuk! 7 6,251,445 Method for producing enzyme-modified cheese flavorings 8 6,214,404 Incorporation of supersaturated lactose in process cheese and product thereof Reviewing 10 cheese-making patents awarded 9 6,183,804 Continuous on-demand manufacture of process cheese to Kraft Foods by the U.S. Patent Office since 1996 10 6,129,943 Foaming cappuccino creamer containing gasified carbohydrate reveals the cheese Goliath’s plans for the future con- tent of cheese and cheese products: More water, more Milk Protein Concentrate, animal whose milk is useful as a source of human less protein, less reliance on U.S.-produced dairy in- 6,372,268, (April 16, 2002) provides insight into the food. Such livestock animals include, by way of gredients … and even WATER BUFFALO MILK! real meaning of the term “functionality”. nonlimiting example, cows, buffalo, other ruminants, goats, sheep, and the like.” Generally, however, cows’ Kraft’s research patents reveal a relentless push “The present invention provides a wheyless milk is the preferred dairy liquid used in the practice for higher corporate profits. By “dumbing down” process for preparing natural mozzarella cheese us- of the invention.” (Emphasis added.) cheese products with imported ingredients and more ing dry dairy ingredients. This process enables the water, Kraft is turning its back on the U.S. dairy manufacture of cheese from non-perishable or shelf- “Nonlimiting example?” Do U.S. consumers farmer and U.S. farm milk supplies. Woe be to con- stable ingredients such as dried milk protein con- want milk from other species in their Kraft cream sumers who’ll buy Kraft products increasingly laden centrate and anhydrous milkfat. This enables cheese? Small comfort is derived from cow’s milk with water and dairy ingredients sourced from Third greater flexibility in the location of cheese manu- being “the preferred dairy liquid” in a world of in- World nations (where water buffalo are commonly facturing facilities as handing and/or transport- creased reliance upon imported (lower-cost) dairy milked). ing large quantities of fresh milk is not required. ingredients while U.S. dairy farmers go bust due to These research directions show that Kraft is Also, in utilizing such a process, the need for refrig- low milk prices. disassociating itself from quality consumer products. erated storage of the fresh milk would be minimal. WATER BUFFALO MILK? Really. The patents contain ingredients not allowed under The dry dairy ingredients used in the present inven- federal Food and Drug Administration’s current stan- Patent #6,406,736: “Process for making cream tion comprise milk protein concentrates and blends dards for the cheeses. cheese products without whey separation.” of milk protein concentrates with up to about 50 per- cent of a second dry dairy ingredient selected from This patent, dated June 18, 2002, informs that the group consisting of whey protein concentrate, Patent #6,416,979: “Wheyless cream cheese …” water is also profitable along with the use of MPC’s. This patent says: “The process as defined in whey protein isolate, calcium caseinate, sodium claim 1, wherein the treated dairy liquid is standard- “1. A process for making a wheyless cream caseinate, rennet casein, acid casein, nonfat dry milk, ized by adding whey protein concentrate, milk pro- cheese product, the process comprising: and mixtures thereof.” (Emphasis added.) tein concentrate, fat, or mixtures thereof to either “(1) mixing water and a dairy protein selected from No need to locate cheese plants near raw milk the dairy liquid or the treated dairy liquid.” the group consisting of whole milk protein, milk pro- sources? Kraft’s intentions in relying on imported (Emphasis added.) tein concentrate, whey protein concentrate and mix- ingredients are clear. Later in this same patent we tures thereof to provide an aqueous dairy protein read: “Dairy liquid?” Isn’t that milk? Not according blend having at least about 4 percent protein;” (Em- “Traditional methods, while producing an ex- to Kraft Foods. Here’s how Kraft defines the seem- phasis added.) cellent finished product, have the disadvantage of being relatively time consuming. Moreover, valuable ingly simple phrase, “dairy liquid:” Example 1 of a sample “recipe” using this Kraft milk proteins are lost in the whey and patent states: “As used herein, ‘dairy liquid’ refers to milk, immersion fluids. Adding further to costs, the removal “About 0.56 kg of whey protein (whey protein milk products obtained by fractionation of raw milk of whey requires further processing for conversion concentrate, AMPC 800), 0.23 kg of milk protein to provide a liquid fraction, or a solid milk fraction into secondary products or treatment prior to disposal. concentrate (NZ MPC 70), and 2.1 kg of hot water that is reconstituted to a liquid. For example, the milk Finally, there is a significant financial and logisti- (about 150.degree. F.), are mixed and sheared with may be treated to remove some or all of the , cal burden associated with the use of fluid milk 2.8 kg of melted anhydrous butter fat to form an providing low fat milk or skim milk, respectively. since large quantities of fresh milk must be shipped emulsion system.”(Emphasis added.) Furthermore, whole milk, low fat milk, or skim milk and stores under refrigerated conditions.” (Em- may be concentrated by methods such as evapora- More water, more profit. This invention pro- phasis added.) tion, ultrafiltration (with or without diafiltration), and duces a product having 65% moisture content. (Cur- And again: the like. Evaporation provides dairy liquids contain- rent standards of identity call for a maximum of 55% “The current invention provides a mozzarella ing a higher concentration of all the nonvolatile com- moisture.) Kraft shortchanges both the dairy with very similar textural, flavor, melt, and ponents; ultrafiltration provides dairy liquids with a and the consumer. The invention concludes: compositional attributes as compared to convention- higher concentration of the components that do not “Conventional cream cheese generally has ally prepared natural mozzarella. The mozzarella permeate the ultrafiltration membrane. In any case, much lower moisture content. At a moisture level of cheese of the present invention is prepared using a the dairy proteins (including casein and whey pro- about 55 percent (i.e., the maximum allowed for process which utilizes dry dairy raw materials and tein) are retained, such that their concentrations in cream cheese under current Standards of Identity), avoids both the costly refrigeration and the resulting liquid is increased. Furthermore any of conventional cream cheese generally has a syneresis transportion of fresh milk and the costly process- the above dairy liquids may be evaporated to dry- rate less than about 1 percent. However, when the ing requirements of whey removal.” (Emphasis ness, providing milk solids originating from whole moisture is increased in such conventional products, added.) milk, low fat milk, or skim milk, and including casein, the rate of syneresis is increased significantly. Con- And again: whey proteins, and lactose. Any of these solids may ventional cream cheese processes cannot produce A principal advantage of the current invention be reconstituted by the addition of water or a suit- products similar compositionally to the products pro- is that it enables the manufacture of cheese from non- able aqueous composition (e.g., milk or a milk frac- duced herein and having desirable textural charac- perishable or shelf-stable ingredients such as dried tion). Reconstitution of dry milk thus provides dairy teristics. The inventive process allows the produc- milk protein concentrate and anhydrous milkfat. This liquids that in general may have a broad range of fi- tion of cream cheese with increased moisture con- enables greater flexibility in the location of cheese nal concentrations of the dairy proteins, lactose, but- tent, decreased protein content, and casein/whey manufacturing facilities as handling and/or trans- terfat, and other components. All the above liquids ratio with desirable textural characteristics.” (Empha- porting large quantities of fresh milk is not re- are included in the designation of “dairy liquids” as sis added.) quired.” (Emphasis added.) used herein. The dairy liquids employed in the present Patent #6,372,268: “Wheyless process for produc- Kraft’s future intentions, as revealed by the pat- invention may originate from any lactating livestock tion of natural mozzarella cheese:” ents, do not think locally. This invention even sug- The International Dairy Foods Assn. and its gest sources: “cheap imported dairy ingredients” cheerleaders have “The milk protein concentrate should have a D -- MPC Supplement dished out a steady stream of propaganda with mean- ingless terms such as “functionality.” Patent Continued on next page Water Buffalo Milk in Kraft Cheese? by Pete Hardin

U.S. Patent Office documents cited in these pages show that Kraft Foods has received patents for new cheese-making technologies that include WA- TER BUFFALO MILK and dairy ingredients de- rived from WATER BUFFALO MILK. (Vomit!)

Let’s talk about WATER BUFFALO MILK.

Water buffalo are dual-purpose animals in many tropical and sub-tropical Third World nations. They are valued for both draft power and milk. In India, the world’s largest milk-producing nation, water buf- falo are the most commonly milked species. India See the WATER BUFFALO (big horns). See the Third World farmer riding to milk his produces more WATER BUFFALO MILK than WATER BUFFALO (by hand, in the pasture). See the farmer spit in his hands (to better dairy cows’ milk. milk the WATER BUFFALO). Do not see the farmer wash his hands. See the germs. For the first six months of 2002, India has Kraft Foods wants to make cheese from WATER BUFFALO milk. Yuk. WATER BUF- emerged as the second-largest source for both Ched- FALO are commonly milked in Third World nations where diseases are rampant and dar cheese and caseins (dry milk proteins) imported dairy sanitation is minimal. into the U.S. How much of those imports were de- rived from WATER BUFFALO MILK? Much World viruses, bacteria and diseases, India fea- and even saliva. This is not only unhygienic but also Third World milk is derived from conditions that are tures Foot and Mouth Disease as well as Bubonic causes mastitis….” — p. 73. enough to gag a maggot. Plague (The Black Death). Milk collection: “In the case of private pro- ducers, a bigger producer among them may collect In February 2002, The Milkweed reported on That U.N. report was titled “Report of the FAO from others and take it right away to urban consum- Third World dairy sanitation (or lack thereof). Third E-mail Conference on Small-scale Milk Collection ers on bicycle, motor bike, etc., non-producer trad- World dairy farmers most frequently hand-milk wa- and Processing in Developing Countries.” That con- ers may collect from them and take it to the city. No ter buffaloes in the pasture, with zero sanitation and ference was conducted from late May through late preservation is normally done. But in the summer, zero cooling of the milk. Commonly, milk collected July 2000. Here are some select quotes on various especially when taking away is delayed, the trader in the evening milking is held in a metal can (with- topics: may add soda-bicarb to prevent curdling. Adultera- out cooling) until the next morning’s milking. Milk tion with water and flour (to build up density for from the morning milking is co-mingled with the prior Diseases: … “In developing countries, there cheating the lactometer) is added.” — p. 73 evening’s milk. The can is attached to the back of a are some reports on the presence, with an incidence bicycle, and the bacteria-ridden liquid is taken to a ranging 10-20% of the samples, of harmful organ- Do U.S. consumers really want WATER BUF- receiving station, for further transport to … good- isms such as E. coli 0157:h7, Brucella melitensis, FALO MILK in their Kraft Foods cheese and cheese ness knows what. Bacillus cereus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aeromonas products? Kraft does. hydrophilia, Pseudomonas suedomallei, Lysteria Pardon the following blunt language … but atop monocytogenes, Staphylcoccus aureus, etc. Samples WTO Working to Legalize Water the inherent sanitary problems created by pasture were isolated from products consumed directly and Buffalo Milk in Dairy Products milking and no refrigeration of milk on most Third derived from cow, sheep, goat, camel, buffalo . World dairies, the water buffalo’s physiology presents It is also clear that there is a high risk of contracting Don’t worry. Global bureaucrats are working specific problems to the person doing the hand-milk- disease by consumption of these products.” — p. 59 to make WATER BUFFALO MILK legal under ing. According to a recent report by the United Na- international standards for cheese products. The Co- tions’ Food and Agriculture Organization, water “Wet-milking” water buffaloes: “This is a dex Committee on dairy product standards is hard at buffalo teats are so rock hard that the farmer must real problem in India as hand milking is practiced by work on this project. This committee includes repre- continuously either spit in his hands to lubricate 100% of farmers with a wet fist with the knuckle of sentatives of the U.S. government. the water buffalo’s teat, or else use milk to wet the thumb pressed against the teat for strength (nec- Once these new Codex rules are in place, it will and lubricate the teat. Either way, that’s a recipe essary in the case of buffaloes). Wet hand is consid- be illegal for any nation to ban imports of any dairy for bacteria. Atop many of the “usual” Third ered a must, using water, and first streams of milk, products meeting these Codex standards. Yummy. Kraft’s Patents Aiming at Overseas Dairy Ingredients

Continued from previous page dairy farmers or their milk. However, that is not to composition are determined by Federal Standards say that Kraft ‘s management fully understands the of Identity.” (Emphasis added.) solubility of at least about 50 percent and a whey impact and legal ramifications of its actions. protein content of less than about 15 percent. Suit- Thus, when Kraft officials say they are “doing In this same patent, Kraft Foods states: able commercially available milk protein concentrates nothing illegal” (by using MPCs in standardized include, for example, Nutrilac CH7813 (ARLA “The term ‘pasteurized process cheese food’ re- cheese food products), they know they are lying. Foods, Skanderborgvej, Denmark), Promilk 852B fers to a product which is prepared from the same Kraft’s MPC patents for cheese and cheese products (Ingredia Dairy Ingredients, Arras Cedex, France), materials and the same processes used for manufac- reveal that the company has no loyalty to or respect and Kerry RD4003-73B (Kerry Food Ingredients, ture of process cheese. However, cheese food gener- for the American dairy farmer and the sanitary prod- Beloit, Wis.).” ally has added dairy ingredients such as cream, milk, uct we produce. The patents reveal deep contempt Do not let the Beloit, Wisconsin reference fool , whey, or any of these from which part for the public and consumers. Kraft’s current actions, you. Kerry Foods is an Irish-based, $2.5 billion per of the water has been removed (e.g., concentrated and documented future course (as revealed by the year firm that specialized in international distribu- skimmed milk). The moisture level in process cheese MPC patents) devalue cheese and cheese products tion of dairy ingredients. food is generally higher than that of process cheese …selling water as if it were cheese. Sadly, officials and may be up to about 44%. Fat is generally present Patent #6,183,804: “Continuous on-demand manu- at state and federal agencies charged with enforcing at a level of not less than 23%. The term “pasteur- facture of process cheese” dairy product standards are failing to enforce current ized process ” refers to a product which Dated February 6, 2001, this patent further re- standards. is similar to cheese food, in the sense that it can con- veals Kraft’s agenda: tain the indicated dairy ingredients. Process cheese “By converting the milk to a storage-stable milk John Bunting milks cows in Delaware spread, however, may have a moisture level as high protein concentrate, the manufacturing of cheese County, New York. His e-mail address: as 60%, and a minimum fat level of 20%. Process products is uncoupled from, and is independent of, [email protected] cheese, process cheese food, and process cheese the milk supply. (Emphasis added.) spread are generally referred to as “standardized Kraft Foods obviously does not care about U.S. products”, since their methods of manufacture and MPC Supplement -- E MPC Products and Companies to Boycott

Dairy activists and The Milkweed are starting a Kraft (Original Cheezy Flavor) (Note: Kindercal is expensive—$7.79 for an 8-fluid boycott of all human foods containing Milk Protein ounce can. Kindercal is recommended for nutrition- Concentrate (MPC). MPC is an imported, unap- Kraft Handi-Snacks (Cheez’n Crackers) ally at-risk infants and children from 1 year old to 10 proved food ingredient. MPC imports, along with a Kraft Handi-Snacks (Cheez’n Pretzels) (Note: years old. Manufacturer recommends: “Follow wave of other dairy ingredients and products, are re- “Made with REAL CHEESE” doctor’s instructions for feeding.”) sponsible for ruinous farm milk prices. Kraft Handi-Snacks (Cheese’n Breadstocks) Kraft Handi-Snacks (Nacho Stix’n Cheese) MPC is an imported dairy powder, consisting Slim-Fast Foods Company from 42% to about 90% casein protein. The remain- Kraft Stove Top Oven Classics (Chicken (No toll-free phone number provided.) ing ingredients are also dairy ingredients. Source Parmesan Pasta Bake) nations include New Zealand and Australia. How- Kraft Stove Top Oven Classics (Cheesy Rice Ultra Slim-Fast (Orange Pineapple) ever, MPC also comes to the U.S. include from na- Chicken Bake) Slim-Fast Ultra Powder Milk Chocolate tions where dairy sanitation is subpar, or where ra- Kraft Stove Top Oven Classics (Macaroni & dioactive contamination from the Chernobyl nuclear Cheese Chicken Bake) accident site is potentially problematic to human Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. health. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Topping (No toll-free phone number provided.)

MPC is not an approved food ingredient, ac- Oscar Mayer Cheese Dogs Atkins Shake—Chocolate Delight (11 fluid oz. cording to the “Generally Recognized As Safe” Oscar Mayer Lunchables (Ham, Turkey & can) “…healthy …most nutritious.”) (GRAS) rules of the federal Food and Drug Admin- Cheddar) “Past. Process Cheese Food” istration. FDA rules specify that human foods con- Oscar Mayer Lunchables (Cracker Stackers) taining unapproved food ingredients (according to “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food” Frito-Lay, Inc. GRAS) must be deemed adulterated. Further, FDA Oscar Mayer Lunchables (Lean Ham, Swiss & 1-800-352-4477 rules for cheeses and cheese products marketed un- Crackers) “Past. Process Cheese Food” der a standard of identity allow for no deviation in Oscar Mayer Sandwiches (Turkey & Cheddar) Ruffles French Onion Dip ingredients beyond those specifically approved. Ruffles Original Potato Chips & French Onion Dip Hershey Foods 1-800-468-1714 Partial List of Human Foods Premier Nutrition Containing Milk Protein Milk Duds (Milk Chocolate Covered Caramels) 1-888-836-8977 Concentrate (MPC) Eight Ultra Low Carb Sports Bar (Chocolate (Manufacturer, Product) MeadJohnson Nutritionals Peanut) Compiled by The Milkweed 1-800-247-7893

We’ve found nearly four dozen products com- Boost (Nutritional Energy Drink) (“Nutrition- Optimum Nutrition monly found in U.S. supermarkets and pharmacies ally Complete”) 1-800-705-5226 contain MPC. Here’s the working list of manufactur- Kindercal (Nutritionally Complete Liquid) ers and human food products targeted for the boy- Protein Diet Bar (Toasted Coconut) cott: Kraft Foods (KF Holdings) Dry Baby Formula with Imported Dairy 1-800-634-1984 Ingredients Linked to Two Deaths in the U.S. [Note: All Singles products listed below are The use of dry, imported dairy protein ingredi- in Thailand. Mead/Johnson Nutritionals is a division described as “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food” by ents in the U.S. extends to infant formulas. And the of Bristol Meyers-Squibb. Kraft. Pasteurized Process Cheese Food is a specific results have been fatal. standard of identity under FDA regulations (21 C.F.R. FDA’s advisory to the health community was Subpart B, 133.173). FDA does not include MPC as Portagen, a dry containing im- released on April 11, 2002—almost one year after an ingredient for Pasteurized Process Cheese Food. ported dairy ingredients, has been linked to two in- the Enterbacter sakazakii had been isolated in FDA rules specify that any foods marketed under stan- fants’ deaths by the federal Food and Drug Adminis- Portagen samples following the death of the baby in dards of identity may not contain unapproved ingre- tration (FDA). Tennessee. In its “Health Professionals Letter on dients, or else they are both adulterated and In April 2001, an infant in Tennessee died. And Enterobacter sakazakii,” FDA reported: mislabeled.] in February 2002, a baby in Minnesota died. In both “One study tested milk-based powdered infant instances, the sole source of nutrition for the infants formula products obtained from a number of differ- (American) was Portagen. Subsequent hospital and laboratory ent countries and found that E. sakazakii could be Kraft 2% Milk Singles (Mozzarella) tests of both opened and unopened cans of Portagen recovered in 20 (14%) of 141 samples.” Old news? Kraft 2% Milk Singles (Sharp Cheddar) at the hospitals identified the presence of dangerous That study cited by FDA this past spring was from Kraft 2% Milk Singles (American) bacteria. 1988. Kraft 2% Milk Singles (Swiss) Portagen, manufactured by Mead/Johnson FDA’s advisory further noted: “As background Kraft Free Fat Free Singles (Sharp Cheddar) Nutritionals, Inc., is designed for tube-feeding of information for health professionals, FDA wants to Kraft Fat Free Singles (American) highly at-risk, premature babies. It is a specialized point out that infant formulas are not commercially Kraft Fat Free Singles (Mozzarella) formula for babies and infant up to two years old who sterile products.” Kraft cannot absorb normal dietary fat. The dry product FDA’s advisory came out one year after FDA Kraft Velveeta Slices was packaged in cans and then re-hydrated by hospi- told the General Accounting Office that it had few Kraft Velveeta Slices (Extra Thick) tal personnel prior to feeding the premature babies. Kraft Velveeta Rotini & Cheese concerns with human safety issues surrounding im- Kraft Velveeta Shells & Cheese (Original) ported dry dairy proteins. A GAO report issued in Third World bacterium behind deaths March 2001 stated: “FDA officials told us they have The cause of both deaths was Enterobacter Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Deluxe little concern about safety issues because products sakazakii, a dangerous bacterium frequently found (Original Cheddar) are treated with heat during pasteurization and dry- in Third World nations. Sodium caseinate is the third Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (Family Size, ing, which kills pathogens.” ingredient, by weight, in Portagen. Sodium casein- Original Flavor) ate, which is not produced in the U.S., is 93% pro- WRONG! In many instances, manufacturers Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (Spirals) tein by weight. Portagen is 14% protein, by weight. end-using imported, dry dairy protein products and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (Premium— Sodium caseinate is the sole protein source in blends do not further pasteurize them. Three Cheese) Portagen. The bigger question lurking behind the infant Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (Premium— deaths attributed to bacterial contamination in Cheesy Alfredo) Mead/Johnson Nutritionals, similar to other Portagen: why does FDA continue permitting use of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (Scooby-Doo) marketers of infant formulas, relies on foreign pro- duction of large volumes of these products sold in imported, “dry” dairy ingredients in food products the United States. For example, Mead/Johnson for any individuals, regardless of individuals’ age or physical condition? F -- MPC Supplement Nutritionals has a major infant formula operation site MPC Source Nations – And Their Problems by Pete Hardin white drug powders inside tons of … white powders? only private individual to hold a milk powder import Former Mexican drug kingpin Raul Salinas is the license. Were drugs a backhaul for milk powder, or The federal government provides detailed monthly data on both volume and source countries “poster boy” for the drug/dairy powder game. While visa versa? of Milk Protein Concentrates (MPCs) entering the his brother was Mexico’s president, Salinas was the It’s not a pretty picture. United States. These white powders enter the U.S. with virtually no inspection for human/animal dis- eases, radioactivity, and/or drugs. Here’s a list of nations exporting MPCs to the Lithuania Radioactivity Federal inspectors actually inspect only about U.S. in recent years, along with The Milkweed’s one percent of all food shipments entering the U.S. analysis of human/animal diseases and other Mexico Drugs Federal food inspectors at ports of entry focus upon safety problems potentially present in dairy Netherlands Mad Cow Disease, infant formulas and seafood (particularly shrimp). products from those nations. Foot & Mouth Disease That’s because of the importance of these products (Note: A large quantity (to babies) and seafood’s role in numerous outbreaks of bulk commodities of foodborne illness. These priorities mean virtually Nation Type(s) of Contamination shipped to the U.S. zero inspections are given to items like Milk Protein from The Netherlands Concentrate. Argentina Foot & Mouth, Drugs have origins in Eastern Europe. In the accompanying list, The Milkweed details Australia New Zealand (Note: New Zealand is nations that have shipped MPC to the U.S. in recent Austria Mad Cow Disease years. Source nations are derived from data published a major exporter MPCs. by the U.S. International Trade Commission. Belarus Radioactivity In fall 2001, New Further, The Milkweed categorizes, where ap- Belgium Foot & Mouth Disease Zealand’s dairy plicable, MPC source nations’ problems with diseases industry was rocked by and contamination posing serious human health and/ Canada “Powdergate”—a or severe economic consequences. Such diseases China Drugs, Radioactivity scandal that found over include Mad Cow Disease, Bubonic Plague, and Foot 100 million lbs. of dairy Cyprus Mad Cow Disease and Mouth Disease. Don’t forget drugs. products unfit for human Denmark consumption that were exported for human use Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform En- Dominican Republic Drugs cephalopathy) is a chronic brain-wasting disease that from New Zealand. In has gained greatest publicity in Great Britain. Ac- Estonia Radioactivity recent months, New Zealand has had cording to the predominant theory, the agent of trans- France Mad Cow Disease, Foot & serious problems of mission is a “prion”—a tiny protein that is nearly Mouth Disease, Drugs indestructible. Prions can survive incineration at tem- presence of Listeria in peratures up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. Do dairy Germany Radioactivity, Mad Cow its end dairy products— products from cattle infected with “Mad Cow Dis- Disease particularly nonfat dry ease” contain prions? Hungary Radioactivity milk.) Norway Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a serious India Foot & Mouth Disease, affliction in cattle. Foot and Mouth Disease is a de- BUBONIC PLAGUE Poland Drugs, Radioactivity bilitating, incurable disease that merits widespread Ireland Mad Cow Disease Russia Radioactivity, Drugs quarantine and slaughter of animals within affected Italy areas. The Foot and Mouth Disease virus survives Spain commercial pasteurization. (Britain, which was hit Japan Note: Japan is a net Sweden hard by FMD in 2001, raised mandatory pasteuriza- importing dairy nation. Switzerland tion temperatures for its dairy products in response However, in 2000, Japan to the outbreak.) It survives several weeks in dairy suffered a serious contamina Taiwan Foot & Mouth Disease, products and packaging. FMD spores can be trans- tion problem of staph aureus Drugs ferred by wind and birds. in fluid milk products. Milk Thailand Drugs, Foot and containing staph -aureus was Mouth Disease Bubonic Plague, or Black Death, killed about processed into dry milk one-third of the population of Europe during the 14th powder. A couple months Trinidad & Tobago Drugs Century. Bubonic Plague is presently found in In- later, a one-time bulge of milk Ukraine Radioactivity dia. Besides MPCs, India has emerged during 2002 powder imports from Japan as the second-leading source of both imported Ched- appeared in the U.S.? United Kingdom Foot & Mouth Disease, dar cheese and caseins entering the U.S. Mad Cow Disease

Radioactive contamination from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in the former So- viet Union lingers in foods (including dairy products) Wisconsin Key MPC Battleground found within a 1000-mile radius of that site. The Why is Wisconsin a key battleground in the The MPC issue has festered in recent years, Chernobyl tragedy contaminated a key food (and MPC furor? putting the state’s agriculture department increasingly dairy) producing region of Eastern Europe and spread Look no further than the fact that 90% of all on the hot spot. Wisconsin’s Department of Agricul- radioactivity that continues to show up on food sup- Wisconsin farm milk is processed into cheese. Since ture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DTACP) is the plies. Presently, the U.S. government is funding a visionaries determined in the late 1800s that state’s enforcement arm for FDA food safety and stan- pilot program to remove some radioactive residues Wisconsin’s soils and climate were ideally suited for dards laws. DATCP is under increased criticism for from dairy products produced in the Chernobyl area. a manufactured dairy product industry, “America’s failing to enforce alleged illegal use of MPCs in Wis- Because of the commonly acknowledged radio- Dairyland” has staked its well being on the fortunes consin cheese plants, as well a permitting obviously active contamination problems, Eastern European of the cheese industry. Despite relinquishing its title illegal sale of products such as Kraft “Singles” in dairy commodities are frequently shipped to other as the nation’s top milk-producing state in the mid- supermarkets across the state. nations for repackaging. Commonly, bulk commodi- 1990s to California, Wisconsin continues as the Wisconsin agriculture secretary James Harsdorf ties (like MPC and casein products) from western nation’s top cheese producing state. finds himself increasingly caught between a rock (fi- European nations actually originated from Eastern Besides that … Wisconsin’s populist dairy farm- nancially desperate state dairy farmers) and a hard Europe. ers would rather fight than cave in to such a bad deal place (governor McCallum, beneficiary of political FDA allows zero tolerance for radioactive con- as Milk Protein Concentrate. largesse from Kraft’s parent, Philip Morris Compa- tamination in food products. Despite that fact, one The MPC furor is shaping up as a political battle nies, one of the state’s largest employers). Louisiana-based importer of MPCs from Eastern during a tight race for the governor’s mansion in In March 8, 2002, Secretary Harsdorf wrote the Europe advertised on its website guaranteed mini- November. Incumbent Scott McCallum became gov- FDA, following up on a complaint from a state cheese mum levels of radioactive residue in its MPCs. ernor in early 2001 after long-term governor Tommy maker, about the apparent illegality of Kraft Foods Thompson went to Washington, D.C. to become sec- Drugs have historically found safe entry to and retary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Continued on page H throughout the U.S. inside packaging for dairy prod- Services (DHHS). DHHS oversees the federal Food ucts. Where do federal drug agents start looking for and Drug Administration (FDA). MPC Supplement -- G Your Turn to Get into Action Fighting MPCs! by Pete Hardin Mark members should demand that the co-op quit all Complain to the Inspector General: memberships in IDFA and NCI, or else start remov- FDA is contained within the U.S. Department Illegal use of imported MPCs is a battle that ing Agri-Mark’s directors.) of Health & Human Services (DHHS). At DHHS, the U.S. dairy farmer community, and all who be- there is an office of the Inspector General (OIG), re- lieve in the value of our milk producers, must fight Bust chops at DFA and LOL: sponsible for pursing complaints of agency failure, with great vigor and creativity. This fight is David Dairy Farmers of America and Land O’Lakes, corruption and malfeasance. The telephone number vs. Goliath … farmers and consumers vs. Kraft Foods the nation’s biggest dairy cooperatives, are neck-deep and address are: … citizens versus the evils of “Free-Trade” traitors in MPC doo-doo. DFA imports MPCs and uses them Department of Health & Human Services in government and corporations. at its New Wilmington, Pennsylvania plant. LOL uses Office of the Inspector General How to fight MPCs? Here’s a working list of MPCs in cheese manufacture. LOL contributed pri- 330 Independence Avenue SW strategies The Milkweed suggests. Concerned per- vate research findings on MPC use to the NCI’s peti- Washington, DC 20201 sons should try a couple, several, or even many of tion to FDA to allow MPC use in cheese. Don’t be- Phone: 800-447-8477 these strategies to help beat the MPC purveyors and lieve LOL is serious about fighting MPCs until LOL Fax: 800-223-8164 the bureaucrats who are failing to do their jobs of formally files a petition with FDA opposing MPC e-mail: [email protected] protecting the integrity and safety of this nation’s food use in cheeses and cheese products. Complain to the FTC: supply. This battle needs many “Davids”…. Write letters to the editor: Kraft Foods has a history of misbranding “Singles” that dates back to the early 1990s. The We suggest: Put your concerns about MPCs on paper as a Federal Trade Commission once cracked down on letter to the editor–to farm papers and daily and Kraft for illegal claims about “Singles.” Maybe it’s Contact your state elected officials: weekly newspapers. Let your neighbors know why time for concerned dairy farmers and consumers to Call and write your state senators and repre- imports are killing farmers’ milk prices. again alert FTC to obvious illegalities being con- sentatives. Don’t forget the governor! Report that ducted by Kraft in the marketing of MPC-laden illegal cheese products are being sold in your state, Contact Parent/Teacher groups: “Singles” as “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food.” The and insist that your state agency responsible for po- Kraft’s marketing of MPC-laden food products contact information: licing food safety/standards rules immediately re- is greatly focused on kids. Kraft’s marketing strat- Federal Trade Commission move these products from store shelves. Tell them egy is designed to build life-long eating habits for CRC-240 that imports are driving U.S. dairy farmers out of processed crapola in this fast-paced, modern world. Washington, DC 20580 business. Don’t take no for an answer. In Wiscon- Look to see if any Kraft products containing MPC Phone: 877-382-4357 (consumer response sin, MPC “trouble-makers” are threatening to visit are used in school meals. Educate. Educate. center) the state Capitol on October 23 if the state’s agricul- File complaints online: http://www.ftc.gov/ ture department has not taken action. Circulate copies of this Special Section: The Milkweed is dedicating this special sec- Oppose “Free-Trade”: Contact your state regulators: tion because we firmly believe that if this battle ver- “Free-Trade” is the most naïve concept since Call, write and otherwise harass state officials sus MPCs isn’t won, many U.S. dairy farmers are “Free-Love” in the 1960s. “Free-Trade” through the in the department responsible for enforcing food going down the tubes. At $2.00 apiece, this special World Trade Organization subordinates this nation’s safety/standards rules. Don’t take the SOS that “it’s section is a cost-effective vehicle for spreading the citizens to non-elected international officials who can a federal problem.” ILLEGAL DAIRY PRODUCTS anti-MPC word. make decisions based upon what’s good for this na- CONTAINING MPCS ARE BEING SOLD IN tion and its citizens. U.S. farmers caught in this ille- YOUR STATE. Did these officials take oaths to up- Call your state Attorney General: gal tangle of MPC use by big corporations and gov- hold the laws of the state when they took office? If illegal consumer products are being sold in ernmental failure to enforce rules are merely some your state, can the Attorney General do something of the most obvious, initial victims of “Free-Trade.” Boycott all foods containing MPCs: about it to prevent such consumer fraud? Simple enough. Use (and circulate) the list of human foods containing MPCs inside this special section. If you are a dairy farmer or work in the dairy as or containing “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food” community, do not support your own self-destruc- Wisconsin Battle- from supermarket shelves by October 21, or else. The tion! Boycott MPC-laden foods. Continued from Page G “or else” part? Greeno vowed that angry dairy farm- ground ers would “visit” the state Capitol on October 23 if selling “Singles” as “Pasteurized Process Cheese Talk to neighbors, friends: Harsdorf’s department doesn’t pull Kraft “Singles.” Food” when those items contained MPC—an unap- Harsdorf seems to be trying, given his tight spot. Talk up this issue with neighbors and friends. proved ingredient. Harsdorf asked for FDA’s guid- Solicit their concerns as consumers. Ask them if they At the annual meeting of the National Association of ance on the question, since it appeared to him that State Departments of Agriculture in Kentucky in early know these products contain illegal, foreign milk pro- Kraft “Singles” were misbranded. teins. People will be healthier and save money if October, he asked pointed questions of the FDA rep- FDA’s response came two months later, in a resentative, seeking to know when FDA would issue they don’t buy all that overpriced, over-processed May 7, 2002 reply to Harsdorf. John Foret (Director, “stuff” containing MPCs from Kraft Foods. specific guidelines to states on enforcing the law on Division of Compliance and Enforcement of FDA’s standardized cheese products containing MPC. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) Harsdorf also asked about help in testing products Enlist other farm and dairy groups: FAILED TO ANSWER HARSDORF’S SPECIFIC They haven’t heard about MPCs? Clue them for dairy ingredients that may come from species QUESTION ABOUT KRAFT “SINGLES.” Foret other than dairy cows. in. Where’s Farm Bureau? Where are other farm did say: “Therefore, cheeses and related cheese prod- organizations? (Note: State and national Farmers ucts that are covered by a standard under Part 133 Union groups are pretty good on the MPC issues.) may not contain MPC as an ingredient.” SE Asia Collapse Sent MPC to U.S. Farm Bureau, at the national level, is thorny because Generally speaking, a person needn’t be a In the early 1990’s the economies of Southeast of its blind allegiance to “Free-Trade.” At county Rhodes scholar to decipher from Foret’s letter that and state Farm Bureaus, use the fall meeting season Asia seemed to be growing by leaps and bounds. Kraft “Singles” were in fact violating FDA laws. But Pacific Rim countries were the major buyer of dairy to work up resolutions from the grass roots to the for whatever reasons, Wisconsin’s agriculture depart- national level. Pay attention to excuses made by Farm powders, especially from New Zealand. Then in ment has taken no enforcement action. Meanwhile, January of 1997 the bubble broke. Bureau’s big boys as to why they can’t protect the financial conditions in Wisconsin’s dairy industry— integrity of U.S. dairy products and producers. The Thai “Baht”, the South Korean “Won” and both on the farm and in the cheese plants—have de- even the New Zealand dollar crashed compared to teriorated terribly in the past several months. And the US dollar. Demand for New Zealand dairy pow- Get dairy co-ops out of NCI, IDFA: imported MPCs are widely blamed for low milk If your dairy cooperative belongs to the dairy ders in Southeast Asia fell with the economies of those prices in “America’s Dairyland.” countries. processors’ lobby—IDFA—or an IDFA “spoke” (like In early September, Governor McCallum wrote On the other hand, American dollars became the National Cheese Institute), pressure your co-op U.S. Special Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, worth 26% more almost over night. Stated another leaders to quit membership: seeking a “study” on the impact of MPCs on Wis- way, New Zealand could get 26% more for their pow- The dairy processor lobby—the International consin farmers’ milk prices. Trouble is, it’s too late der from the US provided they could get past the US Dairy Foods Assn.—and its subsidiaries (like the for any “study” from Washington. tariffs. MPCs provided the ticket to ride. National Cheese Institute) have blatantly attacked the On October 3, a boycott of all foods containing integrity of cheeses and pushed the agenda for use of MPC was announced by dairy farmers (and The Milk- Imports of MPC’s skyrocketed. Even though cheaper, foreign ingredients at every turn. No dairy weed) at World Dairy Expo. There’s an added politi- the Asian currencies recovered quickly, especially farm co-op should pay dues to IDFA or NCI. (Ex- cal twist. Joel Greeno, a Monroe County, Wisconsin relative to the NZ dollar, there was more money to ample: Agri-Mark, based in New England, belongs dairy farmer (and president of the American Raw made in the US. Other powder exporters from Eu- to NCI through its Cabot Cheese subsidiary. Agri- Milk Producers Pricing Committee), demanded that rope and Eastern Europe caught on fast. the state agriculture department enforce the law and MPCs, like crack cocaine, became addictive to H -- MPC Supplement pull all Kraft “Singles” and “Lunchables” marketed the US processor in search of the fast buck.