U.S. Imports of Milk Protein Concentrates, Including Dry Ultra- filtered Milk, From 1990 Through 1999

Specific data on U.S. imports of ultra-filtered milk do not exist because these imports are included in the broader classification of milk protein concentrates. Products such as milk protein concentrates, which are believed to pose minimal safety risks, are frequently released automatically. However, federal and industry sources could not provide data on the amount of wet ultra-filtered milk produced domestically or on its use. USDA and state officials told us that 22 dairy manufacturing plants nationwide and 4 large dairy farms in New Mexico and Texas have the capacity to make wet ultra-filtered milk. The milk concentrated at on-farm ultra-filtration plants is transported mainly to cheese plants in the Midwest to make standardized cheese or other products. Ultra Filtration of Milk Is Part of the Cheese-making Process in Many Plants

Many U.S. cheese-making plants have adopted ultra filtration of milk as part of the cheese-making process under the provisions in FDA’s standards of identity regulations allowing for “alternate make” procedures for many of the standardized cheese and related cheese products. In addition, states conduct their own inspections of cheese plants for compliance with standards of identity requirements under state law. In fiscal year 2000, FDA had contracts with 37 states to cover food inspections.
What GAO Found

The ultra-filtration process for milk, developed in the 1970s, removes most of the fluid components, leaving a high concentration of milk protein that allows cheese and other manufacturers to produce their products more efficiently. No specific data on amount of ultra-filtered milk imports exists because these imports fall under the broader U.S. Customs Service classification of milk protein concentrate. Exporters of milk protein concentrates face minimal U.S. import restrictions, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes the milk protein concentrates pose minimal safety risks. Similarly, there is little data on the amount and use of domestically produced ultra-filtered milk in U.S. cheese making plants. According to the Department of Agriculture and state sources, a total of 22 dairy plants nationwide and five large dairy farms in New Mexico and Texas produce ultra-filtered milk. The plants primarily produce and use ultra-filtered milk in the process of making cheese. The five farms transport their product primarily to cheese-making plants in the Midwest, where most is used to make standardized cheeses. FDA relies on its own inspections, and those it contracts with 37 states, to enforce its standards of identity regulations. In addition to these federally funded inspections, some states conduct their own inspections of cheese plants for compliance with standards of identity requirements under state law.