State: Skim Milk With No Added Vitamins Is 'Imitation'

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A Florida Panhandle creamery company, producing all-natural skim milk from grass-fed cows with absolutely nothing added, is refusing to comply with the state's request to call their product "imitation."

And while they argue about it, Ocheesee Creamery is dumping hundreds of gallons of skim milk down the drain each week.

The creamery owners and lawyers for the state Department of Agriculture were in federal court Wednesday over the nearly 3-year-old dispute.

The department argues that in order to be sold as skim milk, the product must have vitamins injected into it.

Owners Paul and Mary Lou Wesslehoeft say they won't label it imitation because their customers expect all-natural products, and labeling as the state requires would be deceptive.

The Institute for Justice is suing the department on behalf of the couple.

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