How and why is
milk pasteurized
Pasteurization is a simple, effective method to kill potentially harmful bacteria without affecting the taste or nutritional value of milk. With standard pasteurization, milk is heated to a temperature of at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit for not less than 15 seconds, followed by rapid cooling. All milk intended for direct consumption should be pasteurized -- it's a matter of food safety.
Is chocolate milk good for my family?
Yes. Milk - whether white or chocolate - plays a vital role in helping Americans, especially children, get the nutrients they need for good health. Flavored milk provides the same nine essential nutrients as white milk, including vitamin D, calcium and potassium – three nutrients that both adults and children don’t get enough of, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Click to hear more facts about flavored milk from experts Dr. Robert Murray, a pediatrician and Sally Kuzemchak, a registered dietitian.
What’s the difference between organic and regular milk
In terms of quality, safety and nutrition, there’s no difference between organic and regular milk. The difference is how they are produced on the farm. A specific set of farming practices makes milk and other foods eligible for “
certified organic” status. On organic dairies, cows must receive feed that was grown without the use of pesticides, commercial fertilizers or genetically-modified ingredients, and cows are not given medications to treat illness. If given medications, they must permanently leave the herd.
Is organic milk better for me and my family than regular milk
No. Organic and regular milk are equally as good for you. In terms of quality, safety and nutrition, there’s no difference between organic and regular milk. Check the nutrition label, and you’ll see that every 8-ounce serving offers the same amount of essential nutrients. Organic milk is just one of many options in the dairy case to fit different lifestyles and personal preferences.
Are there antibiotics
in my milk
No. All milk – both regular and organic – is tested for antibiotics. Any tanker of milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately. In fact, milk and other dairy products are among the safest, highest quality foods in the U.S. as a result of government and industry regulatory and quality control programs.
Why do farmers treat cows with antibiotics
Sometimes, cows get sick, just as some humans do. Without proper medical care, the cows would become seriously ill or die. So, it is simply humane to treat them – and make them well again with medications prescribed by veterinarians. If a cow is treated with antibiotics, she is kept in a separate pen or milking group. The milk from that cow is disposed of, and does not reach the food supply. Milk and other dairy products are among the safest, highest quality foods in the U.S. as a result of government and industry regulatory and quality control programs.
Are there pesticides
in my milk
No. Stringent government standards ensure that all milk, both regular and organic, is safe, pure and nutritious.
The most recent government testing found that all of the milk samples tested were found to be completely free from pesticide residue.
Are there hormones added to my milk
No. Hormones are naturally present in many foods of plant and animal origin, including milk. Some farmers choose to supplement some of their cows with additional bST, to increase milk production, but science shows that there is no effect on hormone levels in the milk itself.
What is rbST or BGH
Bovine somatotropin (bST) is a hormone that occurs naturally in all cows, and its physiological function is to help direct milk production. Through biotechnology, scientists have created a synthesized copy of bST - which some dairy farmers choose to use as a milk production management tool on some cows.
Is rbST safe for
my family
Yes. Since rbST was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the early 1990s, its safety has been affirmed and reaffirmed by the
scientific community. Scientists tell us that rbST is species-specific, meaning that it is biologically inactive in humans. Also, pasteurization destroys 90 percent of rbST in milk. Numerous scientific studies have shown there is no significant difference between milk from rbST-supplemented and non-rbST-supplemented cows. That's why the FDA has established that dairy products from cows treated with rbST do not need to be labeled.
Is raw milk safe
to drink
No. All milk intended for direct consumption should be pasteurized -- it's a matter of food safety. Pasteurization is a simple, effective method to kill potentially harmful bacteria without affecting the taste or nutritional value of milk.
Read what others are asking
- How and why is milk pasteurized?
- Is chocolate milk good for my family??
- What’s the difference between organic and regular milk?
- Is organic milk better for me and my family than regular milk?
- Are there antibiotics in my milk?
- Why do farmers treat cows with antibiotics?
- Are there pesticides in my milk?
- Are there hormones added to my milk?
- What is rbST or BGH?
- Is rbST safe for my family?
- Is raw milk safe to drink?
For information on how dairy farmers care for their cows and their land, visit
www.ohiodairyfarmers.comHave more on your mind?Submit your own question by
clicking here.