Whey is an agricultural product often used to obtain health benefits, such as weight loss, infant nutrition and immune support. It is available in various forms, but derives from goat or cow milk.
The following is an example of a federal law defining whey:
" (a) Whey. ``Whey'' is the fluid obtained by separating the coagulum from milk, cream, and/or skim milk in cheesemaking. The acidity of the whey may be adjusted by the addition of safe and suitable pH adjusting ingredients. Moisture removed from cheese curd as a result of salting may be collected for further processing as whey if the collection of the moisture and the removal of the salt from the moisture are conducted in accordance with procedures approved by the Administrator.
(b) Dry Whey. ``Dry Whey'' is the product resulting from drying fresh whey which has been pasteurized and to which nothing has been added as a preservative. It contains all constituents, except moisture, in the same relative proportions as in the whey.
(c) Dry Sweet Whey. Dry whey not over 0.16 percent titratable acidity on a reconstituted basis.
(d) Dry Whey--% Titratable Acidity. Dry whey over 0.16 percent, but below 0.35 percent titratable acidity on a reconstituted basis. The blank being filled with the actual acidity.
(e) Dry Acid Whey. Dry whey with 0.35 percent or higher titratable acidity on a reconstituted basis.
(f) Modified Whey Products:
