rbST: Laws and Regulations

Critics of rbST have long demanded that dairy products derived from cows supplemented with rbST be labeled as such. However, the FDA has rejected these demands on the grounds that U.S. law provides for labeling only when a food is changed from its nautral state by the introduction of an additive. The FDA reasons that since all milk has always contained bST, the use of rbST does not change the composition of milk and labeling is therefore unnecessary and misleading. This position has not stopped some dairy product manufacturers from labeling their products as “bST free” or “rbST free.” The FDA and state governments have pronounced these claims to be misleading and in some cases have taken action against manufacturers who make them. The FDA currently requires that if a manufacturer claims that its products are not derived from recombinant bovine somatotropin supplemented cows, it must also state on the package label that there is no difference between milk from supplemented and non-supplemented cows. When evaluating claims that a dairy product is not derived from recombinant bovine growth hormone supplemented cows, it is important to remember that such claims must be taken entirely on faith — since there is no test that can prove whether milk is derived from a supplemented or non-supplemented cow. To learn more, click on the document titles below.

FDA Guidelines for rbST labeling