Several large dairy producers and food companies have made news recently by getting rid of recombinant bovine growth hormone, also known as rBGH or rBST, from their milk supply. This is great news for consumers, since this genetically engineered growth hormone is known to cause harm to cows and may pose health risks to humans. But in Ohio, things appear to be going backwards.

A recent article in the Columbus Dispatch (Advocate linked to hormone industry, woman appointed to speak for consumers on dairy labels, by Monique Curet, Saturday December 15, 2007) pointed out that the "consumer representative" the Ohio Department of Agriculture chose to join the advisory panel was a former employee of Monsanto, stating: "Robin Steiner formerly worked for Monsanto Co., which markets the synthetic growth hormones at the center of the labeling debate. Steiner's husband also is a dairy farmer, and he uses the synthetic hormones in his herd". Tell the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Governor Strickland that REAL consumers want to know that their milk comes from cows not treated with rBGH!

Consumers want more information about the foods they buy and feed to their families – not less. These labels are not “misleading,” they fill an important gap in knowledge about how our dairy products are produced.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to voice my opposition to apparent recent moves by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to restrict dairy producers from labeling milk as produced without recombinant bovine growth hormone. Many consumers object to this hormone, known as rBGH or rBST. I have a right to know if this artificial hormone was used in the production of the dairy products I buy, and I believe dairy companies should be able to inform customers of this fact.

The use of rBGH is concerning because it causes infections and other problems in cows. These infections lead to the use of more antibiotics, which could contribute to the major problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria. There are also many unresolved questions concerning the use of this artificial hormone and links to some types of cancers, particularly breast, prostate, and lung.

FDA approved the use of voluntary labels more than 12 years ago at the request of dairy companies seeking to respond to customer concerns over the use of the genetically engineered hormone. Earlier this year Monsanto, the company that makes rBGH under the trade name Posilac, pressured the FDA to restrict the use of labels identifying "rBGH-free" or "rBST-free" dairy products, but FDA rightly refused to do so. Ohio should be no different. Consumers want more information about the foods we buy and feed to our families - not less. rBGH-free labels are not "misleading," they fill an important gap in knowledge about how our dairy products are produced. In fact, an April 2007 Lake Research Partners' national survey shows that eight in ten adults (80%) feel dairy products originating from cows that have not been treated with rBGH should be allowed to be labeled as such.

I urge you to recognize the importance of food labels to consumers and producers, and not to restrict the use of rBGH-free labeling. Denying consumers information about how milk was produced leaves consumers without the information they need to make informed choices.

Additionally, appointing a former Monsanto employee (whose spouse is a dairy farmer using rBGH) as a "consumer" representative is disappointing at best, and only serves to degrade the credibility of these important discussions.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 03, 2007