Artificial Growth Hormone Free Milk

As one of the region's leading producers of high quality milk and milk products, Meadow Brook Dairy listens closely to the needs of our consumers, our retail customers, as well as the dairy farmers who supply our milk.

Today, some of the nation's dairy cows are treated with artificial growth hormones in order to increase their milk production. In 1993, the FDA approved the use of artificial growth hormones after reviewing it carefully and concluded it is safe for consumers, for cows, and for the environment.

For personal reasons, some consumers object to the use of these hormones on dairy cows. We are always sensitive to customer and consumer needs in developing and marketing our products, and are proud to offer consumers another high quality and nutritious milk choice.

To assure a quality product, we manage our artificial growth hormone free milk supply very carefully from farm to shelf. On the farm we require certification from the farmer – their pledge – that the milk provided to us is Artificial Growth Hormone Free. We then pick the milk up in designated trucks containing only Artificial Growth Hormone Free milk. At each step in the process, we carefully segregate the milk. Consumers can trust that what they read on the label is what is in the bottle.

We hope this information is helpful and we look forward to providing you with our wholesome dairy products for years to come.

Artificial Growth Hormone Free Milk
Questions and Answers

On our milk, there will be a package label declaring that the milk is free of artificial growth hormones. The label reads, "Our Farmers Pledge Not to Use Artificial Growth Hormones".

We are committed to providing families with high quality milk that is always fresh and delicious and as a result have a rigorous process to ensure the milk is free of artificial growth hormones.

Our farmers sign an affidavit stating they are providing us with hormone free milk. It is their pledge to us and to consumers. In addition, our farmer cooperatives work with us periodically to audit this certification process – two to three times per year – to assure the milk is hormone-free.

Dairy foods are among the most tested and regulated foods in the country.

We do offer organic milk through our WhiteWave division, under the name "Horizon Organic." Milk that is designated organic must be produced following additional standards regarding the type of feed and grazing procedures that are used. Look for the organic seal when you wish to purchase organic milk.

Typically, most milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones will be labeled as such.

In 1993, the FDA approved the use of artificial growth hormones after reviewing it carefully and concluded it is safe for consumers, for cows and for the environment.

Some consumers, for personal reasons, prefer to drink milk that is produced without the use of artificial growth hormones. We listen closely to the needs of our consumers and are proud to offer another delicious, high quality product that is hormone free.

All cows have naturally occurring growth hormone in their systems, a protein hormone which stimulates milk production. The protein "rBST" is a synthetically developed version that is used to supplement a cow's existing supply of naturally occurring hormones. Most cows given rBST through a carefully managed program will increase their milk production.

All milk contains naturally occurring growth hormone. Like protein hormones from other types of animals, these growth hormones – whether artificial or naturally-occurring – are biologically inactive in the human body.

The National Institutes of Health through a review of the research found that effects of artificial growth hormone on health of the dairy cow appear to be minimal.

However some farmers believe that it causes stress on the animals and may lead to an increased susceptibility to infection.

We are very supportive of continuously improving industry practices to promote dairy animal health and welfare.