Growth Hormone-Free Milk Labels Adopted by Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has reached a compromise on labeling milk free from the artificial growth hormone rBST, which may enable processors to up the price.

The state's Department of Agriculture had previously said it would not allow milk companies to say products are free from recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST).

But following consumer outcry state governor Edward Rendell intervened and ordered a review.

Pennsylvania's move will bring the state's labeling guidelines in line with 1994 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) milk labeling guidelines.

Now companies will be able to say their milk has been made from cows that have not been treated with rBST, but they will also have to carry the label "No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows."

Processors have sought to add a no-rBST label in response to consumer demands for foods which are as free from additives and other artificial added extras. 

But Monsanto, which manufactures rBST, has maintained that firms labeling products rBST free are misleading consumers into thinking they are superior to those from cows treated with the hormone.

A spokesperson for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council said the u-turn would mean processors may be able to charge more for milk which claims to be rBST free.

Companies wishing to uses this claim must keep a record of production methods so they can be verified by the Department of Agriculture.

Read the full FoodNavigatorUSA.com story here.