WASHINGTON, January 16, 2003 - Fed up with Kraft violating federal law, two dozen family farmer and consumer advocacy groups called upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take swift action against Kraft's illegal use of imported milk protein concentrate (MPC).

On Dec. 18, 2002, in light of grassroots pressure, the FDA issued a warning letter to Kraft Foods North America, Inc. CEO Betsy Holden stating that MPC use in such popular brand-name products as Kraft Singles and Velveeta contravened federal food safety rules and standards of identity.

"These products declare milk protein concentrate in their ingredient listings," FDA's Virginia Connelly described in the letter. "MPC is not listed as an optional dairy ingredient in any of the standardized cheese products governed by a standard of identity, and therefore standardized cheese products are not permitted to contain MPC as an ingredient."

Kraft's only response involved re-labeling these items from "cheese food" to "cheese product."

"MPC has never undergone food safety testing by the FDA, so it is still illegal to use in any human food product, no matter what label Kraft decides to put on their Singles," Family Farm Defender's Executive Director John Peck said. "Such a slight of hand by Kraft is nothing new and certainly does nothing to exempt them from the rule of law."

Consumer groups are also up in arms about fraudulent labeling of products said to contain "milk" when they actually contain illegal untested MPCs. "It's past time for FDA to protect the consumers from this fraudulent labeling," said Director of Energy and Environment Program Wenonah Hauter of Public Citizen. "They need to act now to ensure MPCs do not replace milk in our food."