x
  • Bookmark and ShareShare
  • Earn Points
    What's this?
Yogurts going rBST-free
Good news: Two popular brands of yogurt are going rBST-free because consumers have spoken out.
Tue, Mar 03 2009 at 12:08 PM
 5

Related Topics:

Food Safety
Consumers are speaking and dairy manufacturers seem to be listening. Both General Mills (makers of Yoplait) and Dannon are phasing out the use of milk from cows that have been treated with rBST in their yogurt products.
 
Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST) is the synthetic growth hormone that is given to cows to make them grow bigger so that they can produce more milk. It is completely unnecessary for the health of the cow, and many studies show it is actually harmful to the cow. In fact, in 1999, Canada banned its use because of its effects on cows and it is also banned in New Zealand, Australia and parts of Europe.
 
A month ago, General Mills announced that it would:
eliminate by August 2009 milk sourced from cows treated with rBST (recombinant bovine somatotropin), a synthetic hormone also referred to as rBGH, in the production of its category-leading Yoplait® yogurts.
 
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Institutes of Health remain fully confident in the safety of products made from milk sourced from cows treated with rBST in accordance with current guidelines, Yoplait is taking the initiative to change its dairy sourcing strategy to provide consumers with the option to choose a category-leading yogurt with milk produced by cows not treated with rBST.
A couple of weeks later, Dannon made a similar announcement.
Dannon said its entire product range in the US will be free of the much criticized dairy cow growth hormone by the end of this year.
 
The company, which claims 80 percent of its milk is already ‘rBST free’, said the move is a result of consumer feedback. “This is a response to our market evaluation and consumer preference,” Dannon’s senior director of public relations Michael Neuwirth told DairyReporter.com.
I think this is really amazing. Consumers are letting it be known that they want these unnecessary chemicals taken out of their dairy products, and companies are beginning to listen without being forced by the government to do so. Many consumers are concerned not only with the effects that rBST has on the cows, but also on milk the cows produce. Although the FDA says it's completely safe, many people are concerned that the growth hormone given to the cows is being passed on to children in the milk and other dairy products from these cows. I'm one of them, and I stopped serving my family diary products from cows treated with the hormone some time ago.
I wonder if consumers demand that they stop using artificial dyes and high fructose corn syrup, the companies will stop using them, too.
 

I haven’t bought either Yoplait or Dannon yogurts in a long time because I’ve been unhappy with their lists of ingredients. I opt for organic yogurt, and my children have adjusted just fine to them. It’s good to know that for those who still choose the conventional yogurts, especially for their kids, that at least they’ll be rBST-free soon.

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

You might also like:

Join the conversation

Comments: 5
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
anonymous
Anna Flores (cu... Jun 18 2010 at 3:32 AM

Yogurt makes me feel fit and healthy. I've maintain this for about 6 months already and it works so good. Here are some Tips to add up on Yogurt to make it more nutrious and healhty specially if your on a gym. Check it at www.slideklip.com

|
anonymous
Guest Mar 07 2009 at 6:07 PM

.. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/06/AR200903...

this article also pertains to what our Ag secretary, Tom Vilsack is up to

|
anonymous
Guest Mar 06 2009 at 3:55 PM
I actually don't find the name High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)very complicated and sort of resent the implication that it's my intelligence standing between me and a sugary snack. HFCS may have the same calories as sugar, but it is also highly processed. My main issue with the stuff, though, is that it is in more than just cookies and candy. Thanks to subsidies and lobbyists, HFCS is in "healthy" foods like bread and yogurt. Try finding a loaf of whole wheat bread without it! It's messing with
.... More
our palettes, making kids crave sweeter and sweeter food and artificially upping calorie counts. Bill Sanda has a great piece on the dangers of HFCS, as well that's worth a read if you're interested in learning the real sweet surprise: http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/highfructose.html
|
anonymous
Guest Mar 06 2009 at 4:23 AM
High fructose corn syrup may have a complicated-sounding name, but it's actually a simple sweetener, made from corn, that is nutritionally the same as sugar. There is no nutritional benefit gained by replacing high fructose corn syrup with another caloric sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is a natural sweetener made from corn, is functionally superior to sugar, equally sweet, has the same number of calories, and is handled similarly by the body. Like table sugar and honey, high fructose corn syrup
.... More
contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients or color additives. The American Medical Association in June 2008 helped put to rest misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity, stating that “high fructose syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners.” Even former critics of high fructose corn syrup dispel long-held myths and distance themselves from earlier speculation about the sweetener’s link to obesity as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition releases its 2008 Vol. 88 supplement's comprehensive scientific review. In 1983, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally listed high fructose corn syrup as safe for use in food and reaffirmed that decision in 1996. Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at www.SweetSurprise.com. Audrae Erickson President Corn Refiners Association
|
anonymous
Guest Mar 04 2009 at 7:41 PM
I read your post with great interest. I agree with you about the presence of growth hormones in not only yogurt but the milk that is sold in most grocery stores. Have you read Dr. Samuel Epstein's book called "What's in your milk?" Here is a link to his website http://www.preventcancer.com/publications/WhatsInYourMilkRelease.htm Dr. Epstein formed the Cancer Prevention Coalition and has traveled the world speaking on chemical exposure in food. I think you will find his website interesting. What
.... More
is also scary to me is the presence of chemicals in kids' shampoos and soaps, which can mimic estrogens in their little bodies. I have been fortunate to find a way to use do-no-harm products with my family. I even get to sponsor a needy child in the process! Thanks for your interesting blog! I'm glad to hear someone is listening to the consumer. Together we can all make a difference. I share your passion. Cindy Vcindyvv1@yahoo.com
|

EDITORS' PICKS

tease drones

line

tease book cars

line

tease sunscreen

Advertisement
From our sponsor

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered
Advertisement