We need more transparency in our food chain.  Country of origin labeling (COOL) is a start; it helps you know where your food is from.  Free Trade folks will tell you that this is a form of protectionism and it impedes global trade.  I disagree.  Any producer should be able to let the consumer know more details about where the food is from, how it’s made, and what is in it.  The simple fact is, if you throw out the politics (and whatever implications you tie to them), most Americans will say they want to know more.  –So why is Ohio considering new legislation that prevents producers from providing this information?  If one company has a competitive advantage over another, it’s only fair that they are allowed to make this known to their customers. Consumers WANT more information, and it is unethical to intentionally prevent them from passing on this important information.

Right now regulations are being considered in Ohio that will make it illegal for milk labels to tell you the real story about how your milk was produced.

Last year a handful of corporations helped pass a law in Ohio making it illegal for our dairy farmers to label their milk rBGH-free. They don’t want U.S. consumers to know when artificial bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is used in producing milk for America’s consumers.

On July 23rd the International Dairy Foods Association and Organic Trade Association will have a joint mediation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture to decide whether this rule will go into effect.

Call Ohio Governor Tom Stickland and tell him that this anti-labeling law is unfair and un-democratic.

It is important that Americans know what’s in their food, especially when it contains artificial hormones. Right now other states are considering similar regulations.  This needs to be stopped in Ohio before it spreads!

The Ohio labeling law prohibits statements like "rBGH-free" or "no-rBGH" on all milk cartons. This takes away a basic right for organic companies and dairy farmers to properly label how their milk was produced.

Milk from Organic Valley's cooperative of 1,300 family dairy farmers is always completely free of rBGH and we believe consumers have a right to make an informed choice in the milk they purchase for their families.

If Ohio's regulation continues, many dairy producers will be forced to remove all their rBGH-free labeling.

This means you will no longer be able to choose how you want your milk produced.

How can we vote with our check books if information is being hidden from us?

What can you do?

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