ACSH

By Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.

August 29, 2007

Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) have ruled that companies that sell milk and other

dairy products may state that the milk comes from cows that were not

treated with recombinant bovine somatatropin (rBST)

http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.320/pub_detail.asp. This

bioengineered hormone is identical to the one naturally produced by cows

and, when injected, extends the period of milk production. Monsanto, the

corporation that produces rBST, had sued to restrict such labeling.

Marketers who use the "our cows aren't given rBST" approach are thus

legally correct but scientifically wrongheaded. There's nothing

unhealthful or dangerous (to humans or cows) from using rBST, in spite

of activists' claims (does anyone doubt that the proponents of organic

foods are behind these claims?). But the implication of this labeling is

that the milk from rBST-treated cows is somehow inferior to that from

untreated cows, which it isn't. Thus it perpetuates a myth about the

supposed advantages of "natural" products.

While ACSH is in favor of truthful advertising and marketing, sometimes

following the letter of the law can lead to the dissemination of

misinformation. This is such a case.

Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D., is Director of Nutrition at the American Council

on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com).