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 Pennsylvania, things appear to be going backwards.

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, claiming such labels are "misleading" to consumers. FDA rightly refused Monsanto’s request to restrict consumers’ right to know, but now the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) seems to following Monsanto’s lead. In October, the PDA announced new regulations that appear to prohibit any kind of rBGH-free labeling on dairy products, including "rBGH (rBST)-Free" and wording such as "Our farmers pledge not to use . . ." Pennsylvania's actions have spurred similar discussions in Ohio and New Jersey, and other states may be next! Please take action now to stop this in Pennsylvania!
 
Consumers want more information about the foods they buy and feed to their families – not less. rBGH-Free labels are not “misleading,” they fill an important gap in knowledge about how our dairy products are produced.

Protect Your Right to Know!  send an email to Pennsylvania Governor Rendell to him know you do not find rBGH-free labels to be “misleading,” and you do not want their use restricted!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to voice my opposition to recent moves by the Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania 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," or "confusing," 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 these food labels to consumers and producers, and not to restrict the use of rBGH-free labeling. Denying consumers information they rely on about how their milk was produced leaves consumers shopping in the dark. If PDA and the state of Pennsylvania are so concerned about ensuring consumers have "the information they need to make informed choices," restricting such labeling is not the way to accomplish that. Pennsylvania has the chance to set an example for other states on this issue - please take advantage of this attention and ensure consumers' right to know about what the dairy products they buy and feed to their families.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 19, 2007