Saputo and Kraft have appealed a Federal Court ruling that upheld new regulations that would require cheese producers to use more full-fat milk and less milk solids.

The large cheese makers want the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn an October ruling that dismissed their objections to rules regarding the milk content of both domestic and imported cheese.

Parmalat, one of the original litigants, is not listed in the appeal, filed earlier this month.

The companies object to changes to the Food and Drugs Act and the Agricultural Products Act that took effect last December. The changes require cheese producers to use more full-fat milk and less of the ingredients typically labelled as milk solids.

The companies argue that the rules, supported by dairy farmers, would boost their costs, raise prices for consumers and threaten the viability of Canada as a cheese-making country.