Imagine a world where children and adults can consume milk without the fear that they drinking something that contains pus, antibiotics and growth hormones.
Wow! Didn't know you were doing that? Well, you are if you drink milk that has been treated with rBST or rBGH (a growth hormone). These two chemicals were declared by the FDA as "safe" to use in dairy cows in 1993 and is produced by Monsanto (the same people who have genetically engineered "Round-up" ready soybeans). The official name for rBST and rBGH is "Posilac". Yes, it does help the cows produce more milk but on the downside, it causes mastitis, a breast infection (read pus in your milk) hence the need for antibiotics. It also makes the cows lame. Is that not enough to gross you out?
Well, there are enough studies on rBST/rBGH that show it's relationship to the development of breast, colon and prostate cancer that it is banned in a number of countries. Not countries that you've never heard of but our neighbors and allies like Canada, Australia, 24 European countries, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. How do you know if your milk is genetically engineered and contains rBST/rBGH? Read the label. If the milk or ice cream is not organic or rBST free, then you can assume it is. It's actually just the opposite of what you would think. All milk has it, unless it says specifically that it does not or if it is organic.
So what's the win? Awhile ago, Monsanto issued a complaint to the Federal Trade Commision that said that the milk producers that labeled their milk as "rBST free" was providing "deceptive labeling and advertising". The company said in its complaint that ads and labels including hormone-free production claims mislead consumers into believing that hormone-free dairy products are healthier and safer. Well, the FTC disagreed because the labels were TRUE! Yes, hormone-free milk is ACTUALLY safer and healthier for you than genetically engineered, antibiotic, growth-hormone ladened milk. Thus, a small loss for Monsanto and a huge step in the right direction for Americans.
I always advocate reading labels but if you are looking for rBST/rBGH on the labels of your milk and dairy products you will be surprised. Look for milk that says it is rBST or rBGH free. Of course, your safest bet is to buy organic dairy products. We aren't just talking about milk but milk products as well. Including butter, ice cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, all cheeses etc. Anything made from cow milk. Here are some companies that have committed to having rBST FREE milk:
- Winder Farms, a home delivery dairy and grocer in Utah and Nevada, sells rBST-free milk.
- Safeway in the northwestern United States stopped buying from dairy farmers that use rBST in January 2007.[23] The two Safeway plants produce milk for all of Oregon, Southwest Washington, and parts of northern California. Safeway's plant in San Leandro, CA had already been rBST-free for two years.[24]
- Chipotle Mexican Grill has also announced it will serve rBST-free sour cream at its restaurants.[24]
- Kroger has banned rBST-derived milk from all its stores (including its subsidiaries such as Ralphs) as of February 2008,[25]
- Publix announced it has been rBST-free since May, 2007.[26]
- Braum's has also issued a press release stating its milk is rBST-free.[27]
- Starbucks Company has as of January 2008 made all dairy in beverages rBST free.[28]
- Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores featured hormone-free "Great Value" brand milk, but did not label it as such in 2008.[29]
So you can drink your Starbuck's Lattes in peace. Whew! For more information, go to the Center for Food Safety's website.
Comments