 | Please Call Governor Strickland and object to Ohio's Dairy Labeling Rule |
In February 2008, Governor Strickland issued an emergency rule regarding the labeling of dairy products sold in Ohio. In its final form, the rule states that:
Processors are banned from using the widely understood term “rbGH-free” on their labels and instead must describe their milk as “from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones.”
These labels are required to also include a “disclaimer” – one considered optional by the FDA – that“The FDA has found no significant difference between milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormone and those that have not been treated.”
This disclaimer must appear on the same labeling panel as the first statement, in the same font style and color and not less than ½ the size of the first statement but in any case a minimum of 7 point font.
This is the most restrictive dairy labeling language in the country, putting obstacles in the way of consumers getting the information they seek and restricting the free speech of dairies and processors. In no other state is the straightforward and truthful statement "rbGH-free" not allowed, and in no other state must the disclaimer appear on the same labeling panel.
We object to this rule for several reasons, including:
We believe the label claim “rbGH-free” is accurate and not misleading. A cow not treated with artificial growth hormones cannot produce milk that contains them.
The FDA “disclaimer” itself is problematic and misleads consumers that there is scientific certainty or consensus regarding the safety of rbGH milk for human consumption when, in fact, there is none. Moreoever, the cows treated with rbGH suffer increased rates of lameness, mastitis, reproductive problems, and about a dozen more health effects.
Having a separate set of dairy labeling requirements for Ohio makes it costly if not impossible for national dairy companies to comply. They will be forced to either produce separate labels just for Ohio, pull their products out of Ohio, or stop labeling the products as rbGH-free.
When a similar rule came up in Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sibelius, now the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the United States, vetoed the bill, understanding that it did not serve the best interests of consumers who, in fact, overwhelmingly support labeling dairy products as rbGH-free.
Opponents of the rule, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and Organic Trade Association (OTA), sued to stop it from coming into effect. The judge decided against them and now these plaintiffs are appealing the decision. Before the matter goes back into Court, the parties will attempt to come to an agreement through mediation.
Please call Governor Strickland's office at (614) 466-3555 and let him know that you want dairy products in Ohio that use the simple "rbGH-free" label and that you don't believe the disclaimer tells the truth! You can also fax Governor Strickland a letter at (614) 466-9354 or by snail mail contact him at Governor's Office, Riffe Center, 30th Floor, 77th South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-6108
posted Jun 21, 2009 |
