Next time you pick up a gallon of milk look for the words “no artificial hormones or antibiotics used” on the carton.
That’s because in 1993, the FDA approved the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), otherwise known as bovine somatotropin (rbST), in cows. Farmers inject this synthetic hormone into the cow to increase their milk production. Note that this same practice has been banned in Europe, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
According to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, cows injected with rBGH tend to have a higher instance of udder infections called mastitis. As a result they are treated more often with antibiotics. This increase in drug use can contribute to the growth of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, a major public health concern.
Milk from the cows that are injected with rBGH are not marked or labeled, therefore dairy farmers who do not use rBGH voluntarily and proudly label their products with such wording as “no artificial hormones or antibiotics used.”
Nice article. Why can’t we all just use environmentally friendly practices?
OMG I didn’t know about mastitis and antibiotics, that is really scary. Thanks for the information.
Artificial Hormones Or Antibiotics really sketch me out…I don’t like thinking that I am putting these types of medicine into my body. I always look for natural dairy products.
Thanks for the information. I’m trying to be greener, and this definitely will help me start my journey for a greener me.
You could think about buying grass-fed rather than intensively reared beef – there a short posting about this on SolarUK’s weblog:
http://solarukweblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/lunchtime-thoughts-on-solar-powered-cows/
Dont ever watch a documentary on the care of cows on farms and factories cause you will never want to eat meat or drink milk again.
awesome material!