A dangerous trend in milk labeling is developing. States across the country are starting to make rules that take away consumers' right to know whether or not their milk was produced with the artificial growth hormone rBGH. Pennsylvania has already proposed a rule to restrict dairies from labeling their milk as “produced without artificial growth hormones” and Ohio and New Jersey are considering changes to their labeling rules.

This isn't just an issue for people that live in these states, because a change in these states could impact the labeling used by dairies all over the country if they want to sell their products there. We need to stop this trend before it spreads any further. Help us by sending a message to state governments across the country that consumers have a right to know what's in their milk and dairies have a right to tell them.

Contact your Governor Today!

Why Do You Need a Label?

Recombinant bovine growth hormone, known as rBGH or rBST, is a genetically engineered hormone that is injected into cows to make them produce more milk.

The use of this artificial hormone has been linked to increased rates of infections in dairy cows and there are unresolved questions about links to cancer in humans who drink milk from cows injected with rBGH. Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and all 25 countries in the European Union do not allow the use of rBGH.

As consumers have grown more worried about the effects of rBGH on their health, demand for rBGH-free dairy products has grown. A 2007 poll conducted for Food & Water Watch indicates that 80 percent of consumers want milk from cows not treated with the hormone to be labeled "rBGH–free." Labeling is the primary means for producers to convey information to consumers. Whether artificial growth hormones were used to produce milk is definitely worthy of such communication.

Denying consumers information about dairy products made from milk produced without rBGH leaves consumers without the information they need to make informed choices.  



To learn more about artificial growth hormones, click here.