Synthetic hormone rBGH introduced

The synthetic growth hormone rBGH or rBST is now being used on cattle to boost milk production, in spite of adverse side effects that include udder infection and increased risks of cancer.

In February 1994, Mosanto started selling the genetically engineered growth hormone, recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), also known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH).

Not all dairy companies use the synthetic growth hormone, of course. But those that don't cannot say so!

New Age Journal, in an article headlined, “Udder Confusion”, reports that Mosanto has filed a law suit against two small dairy companies which said their products came from cows not treated with the drug.

Mosanto also sent letters to remind some 2,000 other producers and distributors that “signs or labels... that are false or mislead consumers... either by what they say or fail to say, are unlawful.”

Is it misleading to tell consumers that a milk product is “rBST-free” or "rBGH-free"?

Yes, says the US Food and Drug Administration. It contends that such statements, “without proper context… have the potential to be misunderstood by consumers.”

The FDA further suggests that companies which label their products “rBST-free” should state that “no significant difference have been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST treated cow’s.

But there are differences. Studies have found that rBST-treated cows have more udder infection. This could mean more antibiotic residues and pus in their milk.

The Pure Food Campaign, headed by Jeremy Rifkin (author of Beyond Beef), has filed a suit to revoke the approval for the use of rBST / rBGH.

2008 UPDATE:

Since 1994, all the major industrialised countries have banned the use of rBGH, except for the United States, where 15 percent of its cattle are injected with the synthetic hormone.

The synthetic hormone increases milk production by 15 to 20 percent, but this does not really benefit farmers as the US market is already "flooded" with too much milk.

According to a 2001 report by OrganicConsumers.org, approximately 40,000 small and medium-sized US dairy farmers -- which make up one-third of the total -- have gone out of business since the hormone was introduced in 1994.

Moreover, a 1998 survey by Family Farm Defenders found that cows on factory dairy farms injected with rBGH had a mortality rate of 40 percent. So while dairy cattle typically live for 15 to 20 years, those injected with the hormone would die after two and a half years.

Consumer surveys also show that 90 percent of Americans want milk from hormone-treated cows to be labeled. In spite of this, labeling is not required.

Amd while about 15 percent of US cattle was at that time injected with the hormone, milk companies regularly mix rBGH milk with milk that comes from untreated cows. As a result, about 80 to 90 percent of the country's milk supply contains milk from hornone-treated cows.

By 2007 more and more milk producers in the US are reported to be turning away from rBGH milk.

HOWEVER... battles are still being fought over labeling laws.

On 27 November 2007, the health website ,mercola.com reported that, as of January 1, 2008, Pennsylvania will ban all labels on milk and dairy products that indicated they come from cows that haven’t been treated with artificial bovine growth hormone.