Go Organic – Switch Your Milk

If you are looking for just one product to get you well on your way to living an organic life. Start with your milk.

In the United States, the use of rBGH, Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone is still licensed by the FDA, EPA and Department of Agriculture for the use in dairy cows. rBGH is a genetically engineered, variant of the natural growth hormone Bovine somatotropin. It is used in dairy cows to increase milk production. In both Canada and Europe, rBGH is banned. In many cases this hormone is known to make cows sick. The diseases that these cows suffer from, end up in our milk as well as the antibiotics they are being treated with.

Milk contaminated with rBGH contains high levels of natural growth hormone and is thought to cause breast, colon and prostate cancer.

Genetically engineered milk is not required to be labeled as being derived from rBGH treated cows, so many Americans are not aware that they are at risk for consuming not only high levels of hormones but also pesticides and unnecessary antibiotics.

To learn more about what may be in your milk, pick up the book "What's in Your Milk" by Samuel S. Epstein M.D..

Milk labeled as organic with the USDA Organic seal are produced under strict restrictions including not being allowed to contain antibiotics, hormones, genetic engineering, radiation or synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Take the time to read your milk labels and only buy organically produced products. In recent years, those products have become easier to find and prices have come down. Though some organic milk can be a bit more expensive than non-organic, it's worth it.

My family personally likes products made by Horizon Organic. Not only do they produce Organic Milk but also yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, etc. They of course are not the only organic dairy producers out there. It's all a personal taste preference. So look in your dairy aisle and try a few products out. You may enjoy one organic milk over another.