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Judge: All-natural skim milk isn't skim milk

Posted at 11:26 AM, Mar 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-31 11:26:52-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A judge agrees with the state of Florida that an all-natural creamery can't call its skim milk "skim milk."

The Ocheesee Creamery sued the state after it issued an order to call its product "imitation skim milk" because it doesn't add vitamins after cream is removed from whole milk.

A federal judge ruled in favor of the Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, saying the creamery can't call it skim milk.

Adding vitamins to skim milk goes against the creamery's all-natural philosophy, and the owners say calling it imitation skim milk would confuse customers. Instead of complying with the state's order, the creamery is dumping thousands of gallons of skim milk down the drain.

The Institute for Justice is suing on behalf of the creamery and plans to appeal the decision.