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WASHINGTON, DC
—
The nation’s oldest consumer group is urging the federal
government to get involved in the current controversy
surrounding milk labels, saying the practice of unqualified
“hormone-free” labels can confuse consumers and may lead them to
make purchasing decisions based on incomplete information.
In a letter from National Consumers League President Linda F. Golodner to Dr. Barbara Schneeman, director of the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and
Dietary Supplements, Golodner expressed the group’s concern over
the labeling of milk products as ‘hormone free,’ and ‘rBST free’
citing the FDA’s prior determination that such unqualified
labeling appears to be false or misleading for consumers.
Golodner cautioned that recent trends in milk labeling practices
regarding rBST, a protein used to increase milk production in
dairy cattle, run counter to the FDA’s current position that
rBST-treated cows do not produce unhealthy milk.
As currently used, the claims are too vague to be helpful to
consumers, and they may lead consumers to pay more. “This
practice is in conflict with FDA’s determination that milk from
cows treated with rBST is no different, in terms of health and
safety, than milk from untreated cows,” wrote Golodner.
The reality, according to NCL, is that all cows contain at least
some form of naturally occurring hormones, and producers should
not be permitted to attract potential customers with a blanket
“hormone-free” label. Rather, existing FDA interpretation of law
permits producers to indicate that milk comes from cows not
treated with rBST if labels are also qualified to clarify that
no significant difference has been shown between milk from rBST-
and non-rBST-treated cattle.
As more and more consumers express interest in the origins,
additives, and processing of their foods, accurate labeling will
be increasingly important. NCL urges the FDA to take a proactive
role in this field so that consumer interests are protected in
this rapidly expanding and dynamic marketplace.
“FDA in 2003 issued Warning Letters to several milk processors
objecting to this practice. Given its recent reappearance and
increasing popularity, we suggest that FDA again consider taking
action to protect consumers of an essential food,” Golodner
wrote. |
