For many people, organic milk is the first organic food product that they will buy.
This is largely because milk serves as an important source of nutrition for kids. It, therefore, begs the question “what exactly is my child drinking?”
Not all milk is created equal
Hormonal milk contains a genetically engineered hormone called Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST), which is produced by companies such as Monsanto and Elanco.
rBST is injected into approximately 20% of all U.S. dairy cows in order to increase milk production, and industry studies by consultants report that this hormone is safe for both the cows and consumers.
Yet, Dr. Samuel Epstein, Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition and an international leading authority on the causes and prevention of cancer, says these studies were not only paid for by Monsanto and others but that that these claims are “blatantly false.”
Dr. Epstein, an author of several books including “What’s In Your Milk”, warns that:
- rBST makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 toxic effects, including mastitis, on the label of Posilac, the rBST product that when administered to cows makes them produce more milk. Monsanto’s Posilac product was acquired by Eli Lilly in 2008.
- rBST milk is contaminated by pus, due to mastitis, an infection of the udder commonly induced by the hormone, and also by antibiotics used to treat the mastitis.
- rBST milk is chemically and nutritionally different than natural milk.
- Milk from cows injected with rBST is contaminated with the hormone, traces of which are absorbed through the gut into the blood of people who consume this milk or products made from it.
-rBST milk is super-charged with high levels of the natural growth factor (IGF-1), which is readily absorbed through the gut.
-Excess levels of IGF-1 have been incriminated in well-documented scientific publications as causes of breast, colon and prostate cancers. Additionally, IGF-1 blocks natural defense mechanisms against early submicroscopic cancers.
The rest of the world pays attention, the U.S. government doesn’t
Cancer Prevention Coalition warnings of these risks in 1990 were endorsed by the National Family Farm Coalition, representing 30 organizations, and also by the Campaign Against rBST, representing 10 organizations.
A 2007 Cancer Prevention Coalition petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Seeking Withdrawal of the New Animal Drug application for rBST,” was endorsed by the Organic Consumers Association, Farm Defenders, and the Institute for Responsible Technology.
Nevertheless, the FDA has remained indifferent to these risks, in spite of longstanding Congressional concerns.
In contrast to the United States, the European Union nations as well as Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan, and Canada all have banned the use and imports of hormonal milk and dairy products to protect citizens from IGF-1 hazards.
What to do
Dr. Epstein says these risks are readily avoidable by drinking organic milk.
I am with Dr. Epstein and believe that organic milk is an absolute must. Many other people agree seem to agree since the annual growth rate of organic milk is growing 20% per year while overall milk consumption is shrinking by 10%
If you know any milk drinkers or anyone who has young children, please forward this information to them. Children are the most at risk to these growth hormones.
Much of this information was taken from www.preventcancer.com.
This is very informative!
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site. Great info! I will definitely send out to everyone.
Hi Randy,
I’m also glad you stumbled across my site!!! Thanks so much for sending it out to everyone. This information about organic milk is real critical.
Have a great day!
Live well,
Max
How do we know that the organic milk is really from organic fed and raised cows? I read somewhere that companies like New Horizon get their dairy from several hundred different dairy farms and that each farm isn’t routinely inspected, so how can we trust that we are getting what we pay for?
Hi Jackie,
You bring up a great point, a question that I get asked a lot.
There is an organic certification process in place with rules and regulations. If the product has a USDA Organic Seal on it, then that means it has been approved by a third party certifier and is in accordance with the federal laws regarding organic.
Then, it becomes a matter of enforcement. The government gives a tremendous amount of money to traditional ag and organic enforcement gets a tiny, tiny amount of funding.
Some companies do cheat and there is no way around it. This is a problem, I agree. However, it is all we have, and we have continue to address the matter and put pressure on the government to increase funding for this area.
Please support organizations like the Organic Consumers Association who keep close tabs on companies that try to skirt the rules.
Organic Valley gets their milk from many different farms and so do other organic milk companies.
However, try to find brands that you really trust. Maybe smaller organic brands that are in your area would give you a higher level of comfort and trust.
I hope this is helpful.
Thanks for your interest.
Live well,
Max
What brand do you drink? I drink organic valley or organic milk from Costco, but worry too that the milk is coming from so many different farms. I just moved to Minneapolis and am trying to learn all about the coops and such. AND, I live very close to a whole foods market…yea! Can you anser to the benefits of different types of milk? I once heard from a natural food store owner in Michigan that ultra pasteurized organic milk has no nutritional value and to look for pasteurized. What do you say? What about raw? Is it safe? And do you drink whole, 2%, 1%, fat free and which one is the best? I find milk confusing.
Hi Luanne,
Yes, there are a lot of milk options these days.
Unfortunately, I can’t answer which type of milk is best for you. It would be ideal if you could speak to a nutritionist about that.
Organic Valley is a great brand. It is run by a co-op of hundreds of small farmers from around the Midwest.
Raw milk: There is a lot of controversy/lawsuits around it these days. Some people say it is safe while others say it isn’t it. It really depends on what you believe in. I don’t have a strong opinion on it one way or the other.
Live well,
Max