Organic Dairy and Dairy Substitutes

Q. Which dairy products are organic?

A. Milk from all dairy animals, including cows, goats, and sheep, may be certified organic. Certified organic products cover nearly the full dairy spectrum, including milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream, and more. Dairy products that are certified organic cannot be blended or otherwise come into contact with nonorganic milk. Look for the words “Certified Organic” on the label to be sure you are getting truly organic products.

Q. What makes dairy products organic?

A. To produce organic dairy products, standard hygiene and dairy safety procedures are followed, including pasteurization. Organic certification requires the accommodation of an animal’s health and natural behavior, which includes access to the outdoors for pasture, exercise, and fresh air. To qualify for organic certification, a dairy farmer must feed 100% certified organic feed produced on land untreated with synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for at least three seasons prior to harvesting the crop. The farm on which the herd is pastured must be certified organic as well. In addition, organic dairy products must be free of drugs, including growth hormones and antibiotics.

Q. What is rBGH?

A. Recombinant bovine growth hormone (also known as recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST) is a synthetic hormone developed to boost milk production in dairy cows. The World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration, and numerous medical associations have concluded that milk and meat from rBGH-treated cows is safe for human consumption. However, as it has been associated with cancer and other health risks, many people choose to avoid it due to concerns on the behalf of consumers and livestock. Though organic farmers are the only group required to not use the hormone, many conventional dairy farmers now choose to produce their products without using rBGH, and will state so on their packaging. Governments in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere have blocked the sale of rBGH, and some large retailers have made the decision not to carry rBGH-containing products.

Q. What choices do consumers have?

A. If you prefer to avoid hormones, antibiotics, and other such additives, here are some simple steps you can take:

• Go organic. Besides being hormone-free and antibiotic-free, milk, yogurt, butter, and cheese displaying “USDA Organic” or “Certified Organic” labels come from herds that eat grass or organic feed that is free of pesticides and genetically modified organisms.
• Go dairy-free. Store shelves are now stocked with nondairy options such as rice, almond, and soy milks; yogurts; cheeses; and more.
• Select rBGH-free products. Read the label to find milk with no added hormones.