West Virginia Code Chapter 19. Agriculture § 19-11A-1. Purpose

Advances in food technology have resulted in the development of a variety of products of similar usage as standardized dairy products that are so similar in appearance, odor and taste that they are difficult to differentiate from dairy products. Therefore, it is the purpose of this article to regulate these products in addition to dairy products and to regulate their marketing, to protect, promote and preserve the public health and general welfare, to prevent fraud and deception in the manufacture and trade of products covered under this article, to establish labeling requirements and to establish standards of identity for dairy products and imitation dairy products intended primarily for human consumption.

Except where otherwise indicated, it is the intent of the Legislature that this article substantially conform with the federal regulations promulgated under the authority of the United States secretary of health and human services in order to provide for the movement of milk products, cheeses and frozen desserts and imitation dairy products in interstate and intrastate commerce with a minimum of economic barriers.