Monsanto sues Oakhurst Dairy over advertising

Submitted by Drew Kaplan on June 18, 2010
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Oakhurst Dairy Inc. is being sued by Monsanto Co., which alleges that Oakhurst’s marketing campaign that touts its milk as being free of artificial growth hormones is misleading. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, demands that Oakhurst stop advertising that it doesn’t sell milk from hormone-treated cows. It also asks that the dairy stop putting labels on its milk containers reading “Our Farmers’ Pledge: No Artificial Growth Hormones.” Monsanto officials said Oakhurst’s ads and labels are deceptive and disparage Monsanto’s products with the inference that milk from untreated cows is better than milk from hormone-treated cows.
“We believe Oakhurst labels deceive consumers; they’re marketing a perception that one milk product is safer or of higher quality than other milk,” said Jennifer Garrett, director of technical services for Monsanto’s dairy business. “Numerous scientific and regulatory reviews throughout the world demonstrate that that’s unfounded. The milk is the same, and the amount of protein, fats, nutrients, etc. are all the same.”
Oakhurst President Stanley Bennett II said his dairy sells milk without artificial growth hormones because of consumer demands. Oakhurst about five years ago began buying milk only from farms that pledge in writing that they won’t use artificial hormones.
“On principle, it’s also a question of free speech,” Bennett said. “The world seems a little bit discombobulated when somebody attempts to prohibit you from trying to do the right thing.”
Artificial growth hormone is a genetically engineered veterinary drug given to cows to increase milk production. Another name for the drug is recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST.
Many people oppose the use of rBST, believing it is linked to breast cancer and premature puberty in children. But Monsanto and others argue that no such link exists. Canada and the European Union have banned the use of the hormone, but the Food and Drug Administration has approved it for use in the United States.
Monsanto, which is based in St. Louis and is the leading producer of rBST, had revenues of $4.7 billion in 2002. Oakhurst, based in Portland, had sales of $185 million, according to Bennett.
Monsanto spokesman Lee Quarles said Monsanto has not filed similar lawsuits against other dairies, but wouldn’t say whether more were planned. Monsanto filed similar suits against two dairies in Illinois about 10 years ago, and both were settled out of court under confidential terms, he said.
The suit against Oakhurst claims unfair competition, unfair business practices and interference with advantageous business relationships.
According to the suit, the business relationships between Monsanto and dairy producers who use the artificial growth hormone have suffered because the farmers will stop using the treatments.
Bennett said his company makes no claims on the science involved with growth hormones. “We’re in the business of marketing milk, not Monsanto’s drugs,” he said.
Earlier this year, Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe rejected a request from Monsanto that Maine abandon its Quality Trademark Seal program that indicates when milk is free of artificial growth hormones.
Monsanto argued that the seal, which was adopted in 1994, misleads consumers into thinking that hormone-free milk is superior to milk using an artificial growth hormone.

http://www.foxbghsuit.com/oakhurstdairy.htm

Cartoon time!

I laughed when I saw this because it's true . . . much of the appeal of junk food IS in it's packaging. I've fallen for it many times!

I worked at a Chair Massage event at PUMA in Westford, MA this morning and because it was a health fair they were passing out has these new snacks called 'CAT SNAX 2' that has a mix of healthy hoops (like cheerios SHOULD be), apple, Goji berry, Goldenraisin and almonds. My take is that is should be less hoops & more fruit but they are very filling in small doses. Hiking/biking food! Perhaps emergency snack food for when you're stuck in the car on a long drive.

Elimination Diet

I'm now at the 23rd week of lessons at IIN and I'm feeling the pressure to discover what is my 'weight' hang-up. Is it allergies? Is it blood type diet? Do I need to eat Vegan? So, I decided that after I get back from a long weekend in Maine I'm going to go on an elimination diet. Basically I will stop eating for a seven day period eggs, wheat, citrus (I have real doubts that my body has issue with citrus) sugar (real and fake sweeteners) and dairy.
For all intents and purposes I'll be eating beans, salads and fruit. After the seven days I will introduce each one of those eliminated foods back into my diet. We'll see how it goes . . . if I AM allergic to anything it will have a profound effect on my physiology after the seven days has passed and should be obvious. Basically I will get ill, fatigued or get headaches or body aches.
Fun, FUN!

'Real' Price of a Bargain Meal

For only 67 extra cents, you can get an overflowing amount of fries, a huge soda pop, and a super-duper burger. (I can say I've eaten fries to excess myself!) But this is no bargain! The effect that it has on your weight and lifestyle is buying more calories that your body can use. It may run you more than 7 bucks in the end. Researchers say that’s what each supersize meal costs, assuming the extra calories turn to fat, which in turn increases the amount of money you spend on food, gas, and medical care to sustain an ever-heavier body.

Cartoon I Couldn't Resist!

Food Pyramind . . . tragic

The Food Pyramid, a model created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has become an iconic illustration of what the USDA says is the element of a healthy diet. The Pyramid model has been taught in schools, appeared in the media and has been plastered on cereal boxes and food labels.

Tragically, the information conveyed in this pyramid hasn't pointed the way to healthy eating. This symbol doesn't give enough information to help us make informed choices about our diet and long-term health. It continues to recommend foods that aren't essential to good health, and may even be detrimental in the quantities recommended.

Every five years, the US Departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services update their nutrition recommendations for citizens. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans continues to reflect the tense interplay of science and the powerful food industry. The panel that writes the guidelines must include nutrition experts who are leaders in pediatrics, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and public health. Unfortunately the selection of the panelists is always subject to intense lobbying from organizations such as the National Dairy Council, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Soft Drink Association, American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and Wheat Foods Council. With panelists representing diverse industries, creating the guidelines has become more of a negotiation process to appease all sides, rather than keeping the focus on the public's best interest.

Several of the new recommendations represent important steps in the right direction while others remain mired in the past.

Positive changes include the continuing development in the recognition of individual caloric needs and recommendations for overall smaller portions. There is a shift to a more plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Furthermore the guidelines emphasize the importance of significantly reducing the consumption of foods with added sugars, solid fats, sodium and refined grains.

Vital changes that have yet to be made include the following:

* Grains: The guidelines lack instruction showing the difference between unrefined whole grains and their refined versions. This is a shame since refined starches (found in cereals, breads, pastas etc.') behave like sugar, having adverse metabolic effects and increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Pictures on the food pyramid of highly refined products such as white bread and pasta continue to represent examples of grains. Simply put, Special K is not a whole grain just as ketchup is not a tomato.
Recommendation: Keep experimenting with unrefined whole grains. While you may have been eating wheat products your whole life, have you ever tried wheat berries from which the flour is derived?

* Protein: The guidelines continue to lump together red meat, poultry, fish, and beans (including soy products) with little differentiation between each type. We are asked to judge these protein sources by their total fat content, making choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free. Due to the meat and dairy industries' involvement in the guidelines, suggestions to lower the recommended amounts have not been approved.
Recommendation: Because of our bio-individuality, protein requirements vary dramatically from person to person. Many people feel lighter and clearer when they reduce animal products. If you notice that you feel better when eating animal protein, enjoy it in smaller portions together with an abundance of vegetables.

* Fat: Since the 2005 guidelines there has been more differentiation between detrimental fats like trans fats and health-promoting fats. While this has been an improvement to our past fat phobic education, most of us still have no idea what oils we should be using.
Recommendation: Let 'unrefined' be your guideline. The unrefined label can easily be found on oils such as olive or sesame. Some brands of sunflower or canola can be found unrefined in health food stores. Saturated oils such as butter, ghee or coconut are always unrefined but should be used with care for cardiovascular health.

* Dairy: The recommendation to drink three glasses of low-fat milk or eat three servings of other dairy products per day to prevent osteoporosis is another step in the wrong direction. Millions of Americans are lactose intolerant, and even small amounts of milk or dairy products give them stomach aches, gas, or other problems. This recommendation ignores the lack of evidence for a link between consumption of dairy products and prevention of osteoporosis as well as ignoring the suspected association of dairy with the causes of more serious diseases.
Recommendation: Minimize your intake of milk and choose other dairy sources instead. Enjoy fermented products like yogurt and kefir and experiment with goat dairy products for better digestion. Choose raw dairy when available. Milk sensitivities often appear as digestive, respiratory or skin disorders. Try eliminating dairy from your diet and enjoy leafy greens, sesame, soy, flax, and seaweeds for their high calcium values. Due to the antibiotics and hormones used in the US dairy industry, choosing organic is highly recommended.

* Water: The USDA makes no mention of the importance of water.
Recommendation: With the body made up of 75% water, it is essential that we continuously replenish this source. Drinking more water helps all of the body's systems to run smoothly, enabling our organs to comfortably perform their functions. When the body is too dry it contracts. Drinking water helps relieve symptoms such as body tension, headaches, or any other stress related disorder. Hydration also keeps the skin smooth and clear. Always keep a bottle of water on hand.