With regard to the Ohio Rule’s requirements for labeling, it is quite simple – don’t include false or misleading claims and have appropriate substantiation for claims made. This Rule is not a labeling requirement. No one is forced to label. But if you make the choice to label, you must give consumers the complete picture so they can make informed decisions.
To address the issue of potential inconsistent regulation among States, the Ohio Rule does incorporate flexibility with regard to the required “disclaimer” language that must accompany a claim that milk is from cows not supplemented with rbST. Specifically, Section (B) (2) provides sample language for the contiguous additional statement but provides that a “substantially equivalent statement” can be substituted.
Conclusion:
The fact is that milk from cows supplemented with rbST is indistinguishable from milk from cows not supplemented. All milk sold in accordance with the applicable laws is safe and nutritious. People certainly have choices about what products to purchase and they are bombarded with information about those choices today more than ever before. In addition to labeling, consumers base purchasing decisions on multiple other sources of advertising: television; radio; newspaper circulars; even videos in grocery stores. Ohio’s dairy labeling rule introduces some much needed clarity into this arena and Monsanto encourages the State to also look at measures to address the other avenues through which these dairy claims are made. Kimberly Morin
"Our research shows that dairy producers are the most credible source in communicating on- farm practices with the public. Producers are most effective at addressing misperceptions and communicating the reality of on-farm animal care, enviromental and farm safety practices."Laura England, vice president of communications for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association
"I strongly encourage the FDA to exercise its regulatory authority in taking strong action against dairy processors that are putting profits over people, and scaring consumers about a product so essential to the health of low -income America." Kevin Marchman Board Secretary National Organization for African Americans in Housing [NOAAH]
"You can't afford to be a spectator on this one," "You must be on the team.""The rbST issue is a prime example of emotion-and maybe some financial greed-over sound science and sound reasoning." My bet, "is people who make these decisions gave little thought to what stopping technology will do to the hungry people around the world. It will literally take food out of their mouths." Orion Samuelson an agricultural radio broadcaster for 55 years
"If we have to feed all of the new people coming into the world and all of the people already here...we will never do it without technology." H. Louis Moore Penn State ag economics professor
As stated by Dr. Norman Borlaug, a renowned food scientist and winner of the Noble Peace Prize in the 1970s “We have some people that want us to revert to production practices of the 1960s, in doing so the world would only have enough food for 4 billion of the 6.2 billion people in the world. He continues, quite honestly I don’t see 2 billion people volunteering to leave.”
"Every negative question is an opportunity to tell a positive dairy story." " I urge dairymen to respond, not react; unite, not devide." " consumers want to hear what dairy farmers have to say, you are the most credible source. But if you don't speak up, no one will hear your story." Joan Horbiak, media communications advisor
"Absence claims marketing,when not based on sound science, has the potential to be a slippery slope with significant costs for producers, processors and costumers." Chris Policinski CEO Land-o-lakes Also The successful track-record of American Agriculture employing safe, effective technology to improve production and help feed the world is truly one of the great success stories in U.S. history. This story needs to be told and to continue.
"Will agriculture unite behind the principle that all misleading and inaccurate claims about food and farm practices must be challenged? Or will we as individual farmers pick and choose the practices we will advance and defend, depending upon which ones we fancy on our own farm." "Agriculture has great responsibility--as well as great self-interest--to provide consumers with clear and accurate information. It's also vital that we respond to their questions and concerns. But that doesn't mean surrendering to 'popular myths' even if they seem like a tidal wave." Carl T. Shaffer Pa. Farm Bureau Pres.
"To impugn that regular milk carries a health risk damages the whole industry. Billions of dollars have been invested to ensure milk quality and safety from cow to consumer." John Vogal
"Terry Etherton, dairy and animal science head at Penn State, puts that investment by producers and processors at more than$5 billion since 1984. "Dairy producers shouldn't be frustrated by this rbST-free issue; they should be incensed!""It is easy to scare the public in a 30- second media message"
"If Pepsi cola owned the Dairy industry do you think they would have a good milk vs. bad milk campaign?"
"The Dairy Industry is the most dysfunctional commodity group on the planet."
"Unfortunately, there are those who seek to profit from lies that others tell twice- once to the world and once to themselves."Terry
"The greatest struggle I have comes from people within the Ag. community, who side against technology because they feel it gives them a niche in the market place.That is dangerous, and the oldest form of attack strategy known to man. 'Divide and concur.' And we're falling right into that trap!" And another thing " we shouldn't let them hijack the word sustainable, their practices are fine but don't shoot arrows and say that anybody that uses technology is producing unsafe food."Trent Loos, of Rural Route Radio
"It's time to get out of the dark ages. Rather than indulge in mindless fear, look at the facts. The use of rbST is not a cause for concern. Let science triumph over irrationality." Michael D. Shaw, Exec, VP, Interscan Corp.
"Organic farming is a management style and some people choose to purchase organic milk to show support for organic farming practices. The type of milk you choose is a matter of personal preference as all milk is nutritious and wholesome." From the Dairy Management, Inc. Faq sheet on Organic Milk
"We support the FDA's guidelines on labeling, which stress that there is no difference in the milk and that all milk and dairy products are safe." Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association; rbST Key Messages [04] also, "People should feel good about consuming all varieties of milk, cheese and yogurt as part of a healthy, balanced diet."
"The industry should focus on quality not controversy" Clyde Rutherford Dairylea board president
From a Dairy Herd Management article [Oct,06] The Center For Global Food Issues [CGFI] sent a team into 15 stores in Phoenix. 100% of the stores carried some milk products with false or misleading labels based on U.S. FDA guidelines and regulations.
"Today, variety drives every part of the supermarket. People expect choices. By eliminating duplication we provide room for specialty milks like Lactaid and organic. As a result, when it comes to basic milk whole, 1%, 2%, and skim the A&P stores no longer stock several brands" Michael Rourke a senior vice president of A&P NY Times article Oct. 96
"The dairy industry has completely rolled over on this issue" [rbST] Rick Zimmerman, Agriculture and Community Development Services, NY.
"Dairy producers need to actively oppose the actions of processors and retailers to ban technology so they can profit at your expense. Don't sign the affidavits. Demand that your leaders stand up for your interests." Joel Hastings, Publisher and President Northeast Dairy Business
"Id rather focus on meeting consumer needs through real product innovations, and we have lots of examples of this for the dairy industry." Ken Bailey Associate professor of dairy marketing and policy Penn State University
"There is no evidence that if consumers understand the scientific facts about rbST, they will change their minds about it use. They'll still reject it." Tom Gallagher CEO of Dairy Management Inc
[Tom Krall's note on the above quote by Tom Gallagher] While I do not like what the quote says, I must admit Gallagher makes a very important point. While the truth remains that rbST is safe, it is extremely hard to properly educate the science behind it, and very easy to manipulate. This is a good example of trust and dependency on our leadership to do the right thing, for the masses will not and should not want to take the time to fully understand everything about everything.
*"The best friend of local farmers can and should be local costumers, but it takes effective labeling to connect the two in a meaningful way." Brian Snyder PA. Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Executive Director
"It should be the goal of our industry to assure costumers that any carton of milk that they choose from the store shelves is a safe and nutritious part of their diet." Lori Connelly Director of communications Penn Ag Industries
"Labels are to vague to be helpful to consumers, and they may lead consumers to pay more." Linda F. Golodner National Consumers League
*" No Artificial Costs Added" or "Fear Free" Milk [tongue in cheek] innovative labels! Sherry A. Bunting Agriculture Writing and Photography Services, East Earl, Pa.
"Normally product differentiation is good and gives consumers choices. However, there is legitimate concern that the marketing of organic, rbST-free and other milks often implies that traditional milk is somehow unsafe or impure, which is completely untrue." Bob Wellington Senior Vice Pres. Agri-Mark Dairy Coop. Mass.
All food Labeling should be monitored for factual content and controlled so that the consumer is not misled." Betsy Huber Master Pa. State Grange. "
"Specialty labeling should help consumers make educated choices-not increase misinformation" Kristina L. Watson Regulatory Reform Dir. and Dairy specialist Pa. Farm Bureau
*"The key to success for dairy is to be truthful to the consumer." Rusty Bishop, PhD. Professor, Dept. of food science University of Wisconsin - Madison
"We can no longer afford to hide our light under a bushel basket. The stakes are too high... I encourage every dairy and heifer producer to secure FIVE-STAR accreditation. It's a worthwhile investment that is good for our animals, our costumers and our businesses." Tom Gustafson, Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Pres. Willmar,Minn.
"Farmers in India and around the world, have pioneered the use of BT and RR crops developed from modern biotechnology, and have seen their innovation rewarded in terms of higher production and fewer environmental impacts." Harvey Glick, Economic Times [India] June 07
"With higher milk prices at the retail level, the dairy industry has an opportunity to educate the news media. Dairy producers can't meet everyone's needs if they are handcuffed by onerous environmental regulations, crackdowns on immigrant labor and assaults on technology." Thomas J. Quaife Editor Dairy Herd Management
"Cynical activists have unfairly stigmatized a scientifically proven product that has consistently delivered economic and environmental benefits to dairy farmers and consumers." Henry Miller NY Times June 07
"Perdue farms, the nations third-largest poultry producer, joined the Truthful Labeling Coalition [TLC] an industry and grassroots organization that, with the support of consumer and health groups, works to ensure the truthful labeling of fresh chicken products so consumers can make informed choices." article by Tim Lundeen, in Feedstuffs 12/07
"Address ignorance with truth"
"Democracy works, but its not a spectators sport"
"When people lead, leaders follow"
"Its not what you don't know that's dangerous, it's what you know that ain't so"
"America is starting to get it, people are sick of the doom and gloom!"
"Activists are in the conflict business 'send $20 and we'll make them stop doing that, they're looking for the next pinata and you are in the cross hairs"
"We imported 70% of our wood needs in USA this year and last. If consumers like Iraqi oil, they will love Russian timber." Bruce Vincent 3rd generation logger, Montana
"We have the safest, most reasonably priced food supply in the world; we must stand up against those forces that want to 'kill the goose that lays the golden egg'"[technology] John Block Washington
No comments:
Post a Comment