Dairy producer speaks

Rutter’s SHOULD apologize for not telling consumers that their “no artificial hormones added” campaign is not about making their products “as healthy and natural as possible.” They are a for-profit corporation looking to make a buck using fear to ultimately drive more traffic into their convenience stores. Why else would the company spend huge amounts of money on full page advertisements and billboards, both before and after the Pennsylvania Department of Ag announced its decision to forbid the labels?

If Rutter’s was concerned about the safety of rbST, why did they let their producers use it for more than 10 years after FDA approved the product before suddenly forbidding its use? Countless studies prove milk produced by cows supplemented with rbST is the same as milk produced by those who weren’t. Could their change of heart be because some ad executive got dollar signs in his eyes?

The fact is Rutter’s milk is no more healthful or natural than any other milk – ALL MILK IS SAFE. rbST is a naturally occurring protein hormone, NOT a steroid, found in all cows but sometimes given as a supplement to stimulate the cow to eat more, increasing her milk production. The product was only approved by the FDA after it was found COMPLETELY safe on three levels: to the cow, the consumer and the environment. No legitimate proof shows otherwise.

Many states are wrestling with the issue of how to stop misleading labeling. Pennsylvania just had the foresight and gumption to be the first to take a stand on the issue. rbST like many technologies helps producers increase the nation’s total milk production with fewer cows and fewer inputs, like land, fuel and water. Because of this technology, consumers benefit from an inexpensive, abundant, safe food supply, and the environment benefits from less fuel and water usage, less manure and less greenhouse gas production.

BOTTOM LINE: Consumers do have the right to know and the right to choose, but so should producers. The rigorous certification process Rutter’s referred to basically forced 80 local dairy farm families to stop using an approved, totally safe and legal technology that helped them improve their own family’s income without costing consumers more money. These producers have no choice in the matter, and Rutter’s did not offer to compensate them for that loss. The ag department’s decision was actually prompted by a petition from one of Rutter’s own outraged producers.

Maybe Rutter’s is too busy “farming in central PA” (HA HA) to realize making negative health claims on labels cost more than they’re worth – to the farmers, our food supply and ultimately to the consumers. Pennsylvania’s senators and representatives have better things to address than Rutter’s bad business decision.

“Why go anywhere else?” Because all milk and dairy products are safe!!! They all must meet state and federal regulations for quality and safety, and because ALL farmers care about the quality and safety of the products they produce for both your family and theirs. Find out more at www.dairyfarmingtoday.com.

Robby V. Sebright (producer who will never ship milk to Rutter’s)
East Berlin