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Kansas mulls tighter labels for milkWICHITA, Kan. (AP)--The Kansas Department of Agriculture is studying a proposal to limit labels advertising milk and dairy products as coming from cows not injected with artificial growth hormones. Recombinant bovine growth hormone, also known as rbGH or rBST, is injected into cows to boost their milk production, typically by 5 to 15 percent. Some dairy producers who don't inject their cows with the substances market and label their milk as containing "no artificial hormones," or "rbGH-free" or "rBST-free." But the dairy industry contends such labels are misleading, and pushed this year for state legislation making it unlawful to label any farm product with a claim that cannot be confirmed by a laboratory. "We believe in consumer choice, but what we are doing is trying to level the playing field for everyone with some level of guidance about what is and is not acceptable," said Lisa Taylor, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The department contends that lab analysis cannot confirm that a dairy product is free of rbGH or rBST, because cows produce the same hormones naturally. Opponents contend a stricter labeling rule is unnecessary and would make it harder for small and medium-sized producers to market their dairy products. "This is really just an attempt by industry to make things difficult for those who aren't using this artificial hormone and who don't want to use it. We do oppose the rules," said Mary Fund, spokeswoman for the Kansas Rural Center. The proposed rule would let manufacturers label a product as coming from cows who were not supplemented with rBST, or something similar. But they would also have to add a disclaimer that U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that there is no significant difference between milk from rBST supplemented and non-rBST supplemented cows. Manufacturers would also need a milk producers affidavit that the milk is not supplemented with artificial growth hormones, and have other written records supporting the claim. "This particular issue in Kansas is being watched by a lot of food safety folks around the country," Fund said. Opponents contend that fewer than 20 percent of Kansas dairy cows are currently injected with the artificial growth hormone, and argue it is unfair for those not using the hormone to have to pay the price of the stricter labeling requirements. Kansas Rural Center said sales of rbGH dropped since consumers were given a choice between products coming from treated and non-treated cows. Some consumer groups dispute the FDA's statement that there is no significant difference in the milk produced with and without the injected synthetic hormone. Since the FDA approved the drug, additional research has raised questions about possible links to cancers in humans. "The hormone itself had so much controversy over it when it passed and so much politics and conflict involved that a lot of consumers who have read anything about all that are skeptical about whether this thing should ever have been approved in the first place," Fund said. A public hearing on the proposed labeling rules is planned for 10 a.m., Dec. 2 at the Kansas Department of Agriculture in Topeka. Written comments can also 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. 11/24/08 Date: 11/20/08
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