As of August 2009, General Mills
has made the commitment to
eliminate milk sourced from cows
treated with rBST (recombinant
bovine somatotropin), a synthetic
hormone also referred to as rBGH,
in the production of its
category-leading Yoplait® yogurts.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Institutes of Health
remain fully confident in the safety of products made from milk sourced from
cows treated with rBST in accordance with current guidelines, Yoplait is
taking the initiative to change its dairy sourcing strategy to provide
consumers with the option to choose a category-leading yogurt with milk
produced by cows not treated with rBST.
Approved by the FDA in 1993, rBST is considered chemically identical to
naturally occurring bovine hormones. Based on scientific research and
extensive regulatory review, use of milk produced by rBST-supplemented
cows in products is deemed safe both by the FDA and USDA, and milk from
rBST-supplemented cows is approved as safe for use in products such as
yogurt. However, consumers are demonstrating greater support for milk
and milk products from cows not treated with rBST. So-called 'rBST-free'
milk is more difficult to source, but companies such as General Mills are
making the switch to 'rBST-free' milk nonetheless.
| Q: |
What is rBST/rBGH?
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| A: |
rBST is recombinant bovine somatotropin, a synthetic hormone also
referred to as rBGH. It is a bioengineered hormone that is identical to
the one naturally produced by cows, and is utilized to increase a cow’s
milk production.
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| Q: |
Is rBST safe?
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| A: |
According to the USDA, FDA, & leading scientific agencies, there is no
demonstrated health risk from milk or milk products produced by cows
treated with rBST relative to milk from cows not treated with rBST. If
Yoplait believed an ingredient in any of our products presented a
safety issue, we would not use that ingredient. Yoplait recognizes that
some consumers are concerned about rBST and we are responding.
We are in the process of switching exclusively to milk from cows not
treated with rBST, and have been for some time.
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| Q: |
Is rBST approved by the FDA?
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| A: |
The FDA, the USDA, and the National Institutes of Health remain fully
confident in the safety of products made from milk sourced from cows
treated with rBST.
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| Q: |
Can Yoplait test their milk supply to certify rBST-free?
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| A: |
There is no way to test or scientifically determine if the BST that is
present in milk is from natural or synthetic sources. BST is a natural
occurring hormone in milk. Yoplait's suppliers are working towards
certifying that our supply is entirely from cows not treated with rBST.
It takes time to ensure all suppliers are certified.
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| Q: |
Are other dairy products made with milk from cows not treated with rBST?
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| A: |
Liquid milk is more commonly "rBST-free". USDA estimates that
15-17% of cows nationally are treated with rBST.
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| Q: |
Will there be a packaging or size change?
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| A: |
No packaging or size changes are planned. At this time, Yoplait will
not be flagging products as "rBST-free" on package because there are
legal guidelines around the use of the term "rBST-free" that require
detailed disclaimers and communication.
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| Q: |
What is the consumer's interest level in rBST?
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| A: |
There is substantial consumer interest in the use of milk from cows not
treated with rBST. It ranked 2nd in a recent consumer survey, and
considerably higher than consumer interest in "contains no high
fructose corn syrup."
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