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Public hearing to be held on controversial dairy labeling rulesLabel claims for non-rBGH dairy products banned Kansas On Dec. 2, the Kansas State Department of Agriculture will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that would ban milk or dairy products carrying labels such as "rBGH -free," or "rBST free," or "no artificial hormones," and establish rules for labeling such dairy products. Recombinant bovine growth hormone, known as rBGH or rBST, is a drug developed by Monsanto Corporation to inject into cows to increase milk production. According to industry, a typical increase is 5 to 15 percent. However, consumer concerns about health and safety of the artificial hormone have led many dairy manufacturers to develop products made with milk from non-treated cows. These manufacturers have adopted labels such as "this milk (or cheese or yogurt, etc.) is from cows not supplemented with rBGH," or "rBGH free." The proposed Kansas regulation would require the processor or manufacturer to verify the on-farm claim with an affidavit that the milk is from cows not supplemented with rBGH. It would also require a product label to include the statement: "The FDA has determined that no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST supplemented and non-rBST supplemented cows." It also disallows statements like "rBGH" free," or "rBST free" or "hormone free." The Dec. 2, 10 a.m., public hearing will be held on the 4th floor training room of the Kansas Department of Agriculture on 109 S.W. 9th Street, Topeka, Kan. Written comments can be submitted prior to the hearing to the Secretary of Agriculture, 109 S.W. 9th, Topeka, KS 66612, or by e-mail to: leslie.garner @kda. ks.gov. 11/17/08 Date: 12/4/08 Advertisement
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