Colleen Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 (I know this particular issue is of interest to many, so I'm sharing this both as an interested consumer and behalf of Organic Valley. Bottom line, to me, is the freedom of information we as consumers deserve.) Tell Governor Sebelius you want to know how your milk is produced! Last week, despite strong citizen and farmer opposition, the Kansas State Legislature passed a bill that would limit a farmer’s right to tell their customers whether they produce milk without the genetically engineered hormone, rBGH. Kansas House Bill 2121 specifies that dairy products promoted as being produced by cows that don't receive injections of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) include a potentially misleading disclaimer stating there are no significant differences between milk from cows that are injected with rBGH and cows that are rBGH-free. The "no differences" statement is based on an 18-year-old FDA review of rBGH; however, FDA’s own publications, as well as subsequent scientific studies have shown that there are significant differences, some of which may affect human health. We share the opinion of the Consumers Union that "HB 2121 puts unnecessary obstacles in the way of consumers getting the information they want, restricts free speech rights of dairies and processors, and interferes with the smooth functioning of free markets." This Kansas bill has a national impact because national and regional brands will be forced to either produce separate labels, or simply stop labeling milk without the hormone as rBGH-free. What's more, if the labeling rule stands in Kansas it can happen in other states too. Please take a moment to contact Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius before April 16 and urge her to veto HB 2121. Sibelius is President Obama's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, which houses the Food and Drug Administration. Let's remind her to protect consumers' right to know as her final act as Governor before heading to Washington. Governor Sebelius could sign as soon as Thursday (April 16), so contact her today! Send a Message at the Center for Food Safety: http://ga3.org/campaign/KSrBGHSebelius Or sign the petition at Food & Water Watch: http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/5915/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1907 Learn more about rBGH and labels here. Thanks for all your support for family farmers, informed consumer choices, and a sustainable future for all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary in KS Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Argh. Good luck with that. Sebelius has quite a history of not listening to her constituents. MANY Kansans are happy she'll be leaving the state, but are simultaneously somewhat sorry to subject the other 49 to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 No, refusing to tell the customer interferes with the Free Market. What the labeling interferes with is the Profit of Big Corp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 Here I was thinking of you when I posted...And now I recall that despite your requests, you haven't been able to change your board name. So you're not in KS any more, Toto!;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Is it possible that this statement is already required some places? We just finished our last milk and recycled the container, so I can't check it. But, I think I have seen it on milk in GA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Is it possible that this statement is already required some places? We just finished our last milk and recycled the container, so I can't check it. But, I think I have seen it on milk in GA. I know Ben & Jerrys ice cream is made with non-rBGH milk products, and they also have that disclaimer on the containers "FDA says there is no difference," yada, yada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 Is it possible that this statement is already required some places? We just finished our last milk and recycled the container, so I can't check it. But, I think I have seen it on milk in GA. *smile* Can't imagine the FDA ever requiring labeling that provided consumers info as to genetically-influenced foods. The issue is whether or not the statement is acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary in KS Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Here I was thinking of you when I posted...And now I recall that despite your requests, you haven't been able to change your board name. So you're not in KS any more, Toto!;) Awww, thanks Colleen! No, we moved from KS last September. But I still know LOTS of people there! :D I'm forwarding your information on. :) Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinag Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Is it possible that this statement is already required some places? We just finished our last milk and recycled the container, so I can't check it. But, I think I have seen it on milk in GA. I just bought cheese yesterday that has that statement on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Our favorite local milk states no growth hormones on their web site and local radio ads, but it isn't on the actual milk containers or mentioned in tv commercials. It was when we transplanted here. :glare: Many around here share Hillary's opinion of Sebelius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary in KS Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Our favorite local milk states no growth hormones on their web site and local radio ads, but it isn't on the actual milk containers or mentioned in tv commercials. It was when we transplanted here. :glare: Many around here share Hillary's opinion of Sebelius. Tammy, is that Iwig's? We miss Iwig's. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 No, I've never seen Iwig's up here. Tammy, is that Iwig's? We miss Iwig's. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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