Proposed US hormone growth-milk law slammed

A new bill on milk labeling standards up for consideration in the Indiana House of Representatives has come under criticism this week because it would prevent informed consumer choice if passed.

House Bill 1300, authored by Representative Bill Friend, could prevent some labels on milk sold in the state from using claims that a product is free from growth hormones like Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).

RBGH is a synthetic variant of the naturally occurring hormone in the pituitary gland of cattle, which can be injected into a cow to increase milk production. A growing number of processors and retailers have sought to add a no-rBST label in response to consumer demands for foods free from additives and other artificial added extras.

Wenonah Hauter, executive director for the consumer rights group Food and Water Watch therefore slammed the plans to amend the labeling as being not in the interest of consumers.

"[The house bill] would be a serious infringement on the free speech rights of farmers who want to inform the public about their agricultural practices," she stated. "Indiana's consumers - like consumers nationally - are rejecting milk made with rBGH and have to be given the basic right to choose about the characteristics of the food they buy."

Dr. Michael Hansen, senior food safety scientist from the Consumers Union group also expressed concern over the bill.

"Since the FDA's controversial decision to approve the use of rBGH, questions have only grown about its safety for humans," he stated. "Consumers should have the ability to buy milk from untreated cows if they want to and food labelling allows them to make that choice."

Steve - this issue will get uglier and uglier. Monsanto is holding on for dear life. Get ready.