WINDHOEK– The shortage of milk and Namibia Dairies’ claim that locally produced milk is hormone-free – have been in the news the past three weeks . As a result Farmers’ Forum has been inundated by readers wanting to know what exactly is meant by hormone-free milk. Deon Schlechter looks at the issue with guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Let’s face it, organic milk is expensive. RbST free, or hormone free, milk is less expensive but still more expensive than conventional milk. So can you save money by buying the rbST free version and still reap the benefits of organic milk? As for as organic milk vs hormone free, neither will have the hormone added but the hormone free-only will still have pesticide residue. Organic milk comes from cows fed an organic diet – grain and/or grass. In most cases, organic cows are treated better (more room per cow, most organic cows graze in an open pasture), while conventional cows don’t have much room to move around. So that typically means naturally healthier milk since cows treated better tend to be healthier anyway, thus not needing antibiotics, etc.
Hormone free vs organic
Cows naturally produce hormones, so the milk is not entirely hormone free. However, no synthetic hormones are added. And because many food labelling claims are not regulated by the FDA, the “hormone free” claim is not an honest claim. CNN also reported on this topic pointing out research has shown there is no difference in milk from cows treated with rbST and cows that were not. However, the author echoes many who feel “science” and the FDA has let us down before and consumers are questioning the safety of, well everything, and opting for more natural rather than synthetic alternatives.
However, Natural News supports consumer concerns and gives a glowing review of why adding hormones is not good. Cows given synthetic hormones often get mastitis due to the overproduction of milk. The infection leads to pus?? getting into the milk and these cows are then given antibiotics to treat the mastitis infection. Now, who wants all that in their milk?
Benefits of organic milk
Such benefits include less pesticide contamination, more vitamins and antioxidants, improves the quality of breastmilk and helps prevent asthma and eczema in children.