From Dave Buholzer

Cheesemaker, Klondike Cheese Company, Monroe

To the editor:

As a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker, I take great pride not only in my craft, but also in my purpose: to provide nutritious, delicious food for families here and across the country. Real, dairy cheese is a terrific source of protein, calcium, vitamins A and B-12, zinc, phosphorus and riboflavin.

Lately, you may have noticed new products on the dairy shelf at your grocery store, or being advertised on TV and social media. Soy and nut-based “milks” and vegan “cheeses” are everywhere now, it seems.

I’m all for competition, but it troubles me that these products are labeled with dairy names, because that causes confusion. A trade association I lead recently studied this topic, and found that a third of consumers believed plant-based dairy imitators contain protein and 40 percent believe they contain calcium. That’s rarely true.

While we wait for the federal government to enforce existing labeling regulations, I’m pleased to tell you that State Senator Howard Marklein is leading a charge at the state level. He has introduced bills to prevent mislabeling of dairy imitators and protect consumers. Sen. Marklein’s work is important for shoppers choosing what to serve their families for dinner — and it’s important for our state’s dairy industry.

Please join me in supporting Sen. Marklein’s dairy labeling legislation — and in looking closely at the nutritional facts on the products you’re purchasing in the dairy aisle.