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March 22, 2006
Measuring "Organic-ness?"
The Cornucopia Institute today released a report that ranks organic milk and dairy producers based on environmental, humane concerns, as well as adherance to Federal guidelines.
"It is simply an analysis comparing the ethics and management practices of all organic name brand and private label dairy products," said Mark Kastel, a founder of the group in an interview with the New York Times last week. "This is a tool to help consumers shop with firms that represent their values." (NYT)
Most of us think that two products that both say "organic" on the package are the same, but this isn't necessarily the case. While organic labeled products are required by law to adhere to certain Federal guidelines (such as feeding cows a vegetarian diet,) other factors such as environmental impact, or humane treatment of animals are beyond the scope of the government's certification. Also, some producers are rumored to "cheat" the system by moving cows between confined industrial feed lots and pasture on a rotation that exactly complies with the Federal guidelines for just long enough that they can get the higher organic price for their dairy.
It's interesting to note which producers did not respond to the request. It just so happens that among these are the largest producers that were asked to participate in the survey.
It's a really informative report and well worth a glance. Still, it doesn't change the fact for me that even the dairies that just follow the minimum standard guidelines for organic are probably better than the conventional ones that keep their herd doped up with a constant dose of hormones and antibiotics.
Posted by at March 22, 2006 03:26 PM
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Comments
Organic milk is a slippery slope. Certain large organic milk concerns are broadening their horizons so fast as to lead to problems. Others, while mindful, just aren't living up to the dream of what we all might think "organic" means, ie contented cows grazing on verdent, open pastures, hand milked by virgins in unbelievably spotless mangers.
The other caveat is that most organic milk is ultra pasturized. Presumably for shelf stability because there is so much on the market that it doesn't all get bought up. It also has to travel a long way.
This is one of those situations where buying local might out-way buying organic. If you have a local dairy which is all but organic, or at least doesn't use rBGH and keeps their cows on open pasture, then they would be preferable to buying organic milk from across the country.
As for the cows in spotless shed being milked by virgins--not a problem, I buy my almost organic raw milk from a local dairy operated by nuns. . . .
Posted by: Podchef at March 22, 2006 06:23 PM | Useful? Then Digg It.