Are Artificial Growth Hormones used to increase milk production safe for cows and humans? Depending on whom you ask, some say yes, some say no and some just say moo. I asked Garelick Farms, a Dean Foods brand, what they say…

Dear Milk Mavens:

Since Garelick Farms has been bringing farm-fresh milk to families since 1931 you must know a lot about milk. I’m a city boy so all I know about farms is that I wouldn’t be able to survive more than a day or two on one.

I see that Garelick Farms milk contains No Artificial Growth Hormones such as rBST. In my opinion, just the fact that rBST stands for Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin is good enough reason to stay away from it. Why was rBST, the synthetic version of bST, which many dairy farmers inject into adult cows as a supplement to increase the production of milk even approved by the FDA in the first place?

I know how a woman’s emotions get out of balance when her hormones rage, and those are natural hormones, so I can’t imagine what it would be like if a herd of cows were on Artificial Growth Hormones that started to rage and someone drank milk from them. What could happen to a person if they did?

Speaking of natural hormones, I understand that bST is a naturally occurring growth hormone in cows and that small amounts of it are present in all milk. Is that good or bad? I’m wondering because while many milk producers are avoiding artificial growth hormones, I don’t see many advertising that their milk “Contains Yummy Natural Growth Hormones.”

What the heck is the most important thing for milk drinking humans to know about all these cow hormones?

A Consumer Response Representative responded with:

Thank you for your recent e-mail to Garelick Farms®. We appreciate your interest in our products.

All cows produce the BST hormone (Bovine Somatotropin) naturally. In order to increase milk production, some dairy producers provide their cows with supplementary rBST. This supplementary, synthetic BST is one of the most thoroughly tested and researched products in history.

Research has demonstrated that milk from rBST-treated cows is no different than milk from untreated cows. Because of these findings, numerous distinguished government, professional, and health organizations support the use of rBST (including the FDA, American Medical Association, and the National Institutes of Health).

At Dean Foods, we believe that our dairy producers have the right to produce safe, high-quality milk using any approved and available technology. Dairy products are some of the most highly regulated and monitored foods in America. Be assured that every effort is taken to ensure that the milk you drink and the dairy products you eat are safe and wholesome.

If you have any other questions or concerns, remember that we are just a phone call or an e-mail away.

Final Thoughts: My inquiry focused on Garelick Farms milk products that promote No Artificial Growth Hormones. Yet interestingly, this response seems to defend rBST by referencing how thoroughly tested and researched it has been. So is this a natural response, or was it artificially produced to cover any inquiry mentioning bST or rBST?

How Hormoneologists can even come close to knowing what cows are feeling and how it affects their milk is mind-boggling. Experts have enough trouble understanding how to control hormones in humans. Many individuals are driven crazy by hormones and need therapy. Cows can also go insane, but few hormone therapists are willing to take on a mad cow because of insurance reimbursement issues, plus they leave the waiting area a mess. Out of control hormones are blamed for any teenager who’s either rebellious or a horndog. If a woman is depressed, unstable or unable to stop growing a mustache, chances are she’ll be diagnosed with a hormone imbalance. And for men suffering from sexual malfunctions, it’s hard for them to make a hormone even in a brothel.

So who should you believe regarding the safety of treating cows with Artificial Growth Hormones? Here are a few different perspectives…

> Global Dairy Innovation – Myth-Busting: The Facts Versus the Myths Regarding rbST
> Genetically Engineered Food News – List Of rBGH Dangers That Could Affect Your Health
> FDA – Bovine Somatotropin (BST)
> Cancer Prevention Coalition – Milk: America’s Health Problem
> Consume This First – Is rBGH safe?

Learn more about Garelick Farms and review their FAQ’s regarding Artificial Growth Hormones. However, if anything that a manufacturer is or isn’t doing sends your hormones into a rage and you want answers, after you settle down, Write The Company.

Fans of milk or hormones will also enjoy:
Milk vs. Soymilk: Moo or Boo?
PET Milk Mystery
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