Food & Water Watch

Bovine Growth Hormone

We Won! Thanks to pressure from consumers like you, Starbucks has committed to serving only 100% hormone-free milk in all of its U.S. stores by December 31, 2007. Find out more about this historic victory!

Throughout the Midwest and West, there has been an explosion in large dairy operations over the last decade. They are associated with numerous environmental and health hazards, including air pollution. California state regulators have named dairy cows as the leading air pollution culprit in the San Joaquin Valley--home to 2.5 million dairy cows. As a result of having some of the worst air quality in the nation, 16 percent of children in the region have asthma, three times the national average.

Will You Be Our Friend?
Check out our “Hold the Hormones” Campaign page on MySpace. Be sure to make us your Friend, send us a message, and tell others.

Will You Be Our Friend?

Dolls [blog]
Check out our “Hold the Hormones”
Campaign page on MySpace.

Be sure to make us your Friend, send us a message, and tell others.

At many of these factory farms, in an attempt to increase the profitability, recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is used to make the cow produce more milk. This hormone, manufactured by Monsanto, causes health problems in cows and increases antibiotic use on dairies. While the effect on humans consuming rBGH milk is not clear, studies suggest that rBGH increases another chemical that is linked to increased cancer risk.

Many consumers have balked at the widespread use of hormones and antibiotics at giant dairies and opt for purchasing organic and sustainably produced milk. We want to educate consumers about rBGH and encourage them to find rBGH-free dairy products.

We also ask you to join us in fighting against the sale of dairy products from cloned cows and their offspring, as the vast majority of consumers oppose the practice. Together, as consumers and as citizens, we can change the policies that encourage the growth of large dairy factory farms.

Got questions? Check out our dairy FAQ.