Ohio rbST Rule Causes Fears for National Marketing Efforts

A law implemented in Ohio last month that seeks to set a level playing field on milk labeling, whether or not it comes from cows supplemented with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), is causing fears that it could restrict national distribution.

Ohio released and implemented the new law, which sets out guidance on labeling of dairy products, on February 8, but a public hearing of testimony is taking place today. The law's stated aim is to counter false and misleading statements and give consumers clear and consistent information.

While it allows that the state Department of Agriculture will approve labels if a claim that the milk is derived from cows not supplemented with rbST is verifiable, they must also include an FDA disclaimer saying that "no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rbST-supplemented and non-rbST supplemented cows."

RbST is an artificial growth hormone that is administered to cows by injection in order to increase milk production.

According to OTA Caron Wilcox, executive director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) Ohio is set to become the only state seeming to regulate dairy labeling in an interstate shipment.

Read the full FoodNavigator-USA.com story here.