Our gallery is currently featuring examples of false and misleading labels, web sites, marketing and related promotional materials found in the dairy industry. This includes details on how these practices mislead consumers, harm farmers and may even contribute to damaging the environment. Federal and state regulators have developed rules and guidelines for the language and related labeling, advertising, web site presentations and other marketing practices for dairy and other food products to ensure that information presented is accurate, truthful and not misleading to the consuming public. Over the past two years various non-profit groups, sound science advocates, agricultural associations and a growing number of concerned consumers have uncovered and reported a range of practices which violate these federal and state regulations. Other practices, not specifically addressed by federal or state laws, appear to violate the intent behind guidelines, rules and regulations designed to protect consumers and dairy farmers.

Independent consumer research confirms that consumers are misled by these practices. Agricultural groups report that farmers, especially small family farmers, are harmed economically as a result of these practices. And, in some cases, groups report that these misleading claims and marketing efforts result in the promotion of practices which harm the environment.

Click here to see and read about growing concerns over false and misleading practices in the dairy industry.

Letters of complaint over dairy labels

Consumer, farming, science and public interest groups have filed numerous complaints regarding false and misleading dairy labels with federal and state regulators. Responses have ranged from actions taken against dairy processors who make misleading claims in New Jersey and investigations launched in Washington State, to no responses from such states as California and New York.

Click here to view the latest complaints and responses.

Playing the "Natural" Card

Ethical Corporation Magazine
June 2, 2003

Many organic products supporters maintain that "natural" fruits and foods are healthier than conventionally grown products. "It doesn't matter what's true, it matters what consumers think," said Chuck Marcy, CEO of Horizon Organic Dairy at an industry forum this past January.
[Click here for full article.]

False and Misleading Radio Advertisement

May 6, 2003

Listen to a false and misleading radio advertisement promoting Dean's Foods brand Land O'Lakes milk as having "no hormones added." With the exception of Vitamin D3 (a hormone), no hormones are ever added to milk. And Dean's Land O'Lakes brand of milk does have the added hormone Vitamin D3.
[Click here to listen.]

"Hormone Free" Advertising Claims Could be Banned

Dairy Profit Weekly
January 27, 2003

Claims that advertise "hormone free"dairy products could be banned if the Food and Drug Administration gets serious about enforcing long-standing laws and regulations that prohibit false or misleading label and marketing claims.
[Click here for full article.]

Let’s Take the False Labels Off Dairy Products

Center for Global Food Issues
December 2, 2002

With the prevailing emphasis on truth in advertising and consumer rights, why isn’t the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banning the false and misleading labels and advertising of the organic milk and dairy products in our retail stores?
[Click here for full article.]

Washington State Department of Agriculture Investigating Vitamilk Dairy Labeling

June 11, 2002

The Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) Food Safety Program is investigating concerns about a Vitamilk product label and advertising campaign. The program has been reviewing the new label and is concerned about labeling claims, such as no antibiotics, no added hormones, free-farmed, etc., that may be misleading to the consuming public.
[Click here for full letter.]

Report on Perceptions of Milk Labels in the Southern District of New York

SWR Worldwide
December 4, 2001

Respondents were asked if they believed statements on milk labels such as hormone-free, pesticide-free and antibiotic free to be misleading, or not. More than two out of five consumers (42%) believed that these statements were misleading ...
[Click here for full study.]

The Fear Profiteers: Do ‘Socially Responsible’ Businesses Sow Health Scares to Reap Monetary Rewards?

In a chapter called "Deadly Dairy Farms?", the authors of this in-depth report expose the motivations behind the organizations who have created a market for 'organic' milk by spreading false rumors.
[Click here for Report (PDF)]

Not All's Milk And Honey For Cows On Organic Farms

Center for Global Food Issues
June 22, 2001

So what are consumers getting for their extra money? One of the finest bits of copy I've ever seen on a product package. Reading it makes you warm all over.
[Click here for full article]