Food and Agricultural Code section 38953

An imitation milk product, the composition and physical characteristics of which closely resemble those of a milk product or a specified variety of a milk product may be labeled “imitation,” followed by the name of the milk product imitated; for example, “imitation milk,” “imitation coffee cream,” “imitation cheddar cheese.”
An imitation milk product, the composition and physical characteristics of which do not closely resemble those of a milk product or a defined variety of a milk product shall be labeled as “imitation” or “filled” or by any other term approved by the director, followed by a term which generally describes that category of milk product; for example, “imitation milk product,” “imitation cream product,” “imitation cheese product.”

Source: Section 38953, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=FAC§ionNum=38953.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1982; accessed Sep. 1, 2025).

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Verified:
Sep. 1, 2025

§ 38953's source at ca​.gov