Market sours on milk hormone

Article Abstract:

The injection of genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (BGH) into cows increases milk production by 10 to 20 percent. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the use of the genetically engineered hormone poses no health risk to people. The milk from cows injected with BGH is exactly the same as milk from untreated cows. There is not an increased level of hormone in the milk, as the hormone is broken down in the digestive system of the cow. Jeremy Rifkin, an outspoken critic of genetic engineering, has waged a campaign against the use of the hormone, claiming that family milk farms will be driven out of business by large milk producers. The BGH manufacturers claim that costs will be cut because fewer cows are needed to produce the same amount of milk. However, a surplus of milk will cause the prices to be lowered, and the family farms will not be able to compete with the large farms. As a result of this controversy, some major food processors and retailers will not use milk from BGH-treated cows. In Europe, the Commission of the European Communities has proposed a ban on BGH until its economic impact is understood. Although the economic impact of BGH is the real issue, Rifkin has also raised concerns about the safety of BGH, based on an unpublished report by Samuel Epstein of the University of Illinois. This report has been denounced by the industry and the FDA as a distortion of the facts. The FDA has prepared a paper showing the facts supporting their finding that BGH is safe. The use of BGH is only the first of many other bioengineered products that are being developed for agricultural use, including milk production. These substances will increase the efficiency of agricultural production, but will have economic and social impact.

Health aspects, Evaluation, European Union. European Commission, Milk, Bovine somatotropin

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Regulation of "Nutraceuticals

Article Abstract:

A proposal is made to subject nutraceuticals to greater scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration. Those products that incorporate dosage amounts found in foods should have little difficulty remaining on the market, however those that use dosages that appear in larger amounts than found in food might be tested, and the public safeguarded.

United States, Dietary supplements, Functional foods

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A Rational Approach to Labeling Biotech-Derived Foods

Article Abstract:

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) procedures for ensuring that bio-engineered food is safe are detailed. Whether to label these foods is a question that the FDA grapples with, and many consumer groups demand that the FDA mandates labelling bio-engineered food. The FDA policy is detailed and evaluated.

Analysis, Food, Product safety, Labels

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