WHAT ORGANIC MEANS AND THE USDA STANDARDS

With the popularity of organic dairy and beef products on the rise in the last few years, it is important for the American people to be aware of what organic really means, and what it does not.

We often trust the USDA to do all the work for us when determining whether or not the food we are buying is actually organic, or just claiming to be.  We did some research to determine if we are being fooled.  The results are infuriating and enlightening.

It’s right there on the label: “USDA Certified Organic”.  The label says it’s organic and the strict USDA regulation of organic products must mean it’s definitely organic, right?

Unfortunately, NO. Not even close.

The Cornucopia Institute decided to do some investigating of their own a while ago on so called “organic” dairies to see if they are indeed what they claim, which also included an in-depth survey.  This was to weed out those who were hiding important information regarding their practices.

What they found was astonishing.

According to Cornucopia, several of the well-known “organic” brands violate many organic regulations, or their practices of production defeat the purpose of organic altogether.  In some cases, they are even inhumane.

What many Americans may not know is that these companies or suppliers sell both organic and conventional dairy/beef products.  This means that the cows used for conventional products are on the same farm as their “organic” cows.  Under USDA standards, they are to make sure the organic herds are separated because they are under different regulations.

The USDA standard for a company to claim organic is that their cows have to be allowed to graze naturally for certain periods of time, are not to be given BGH (bovine growth hormone),  high-percentage of GM (genetically modified) feed, or antibiotics.

However, it has been discovered that some major company’s “organic” cows are not allowed to graze for long periods of time, or in some cases at all.   The organic cows are confined along with the conventional cows, or in the same fashion.  In fact, there is very little, if any, grazing land on these farms.  Additionally, the feed has a higher percentage of GM by-products than allowed.

In other words, it is the same feed that is fed to the conventional cows, which includes: GM soy and corn, feeding blood (which is responsible for mad cow disease), waste, fats/oils, grease, tallow and gelatin from cattle and other species, and rendered horse protein.

It is a well known fact that real organic cows have longer longevity because they are allowed to graze outside of their stables in their natural environment, are fed healthier food, and are not forced to produce more than healthy amounts of milk because of BGH.  The results of this natural practice is simply…a much happier and healthier cow.

Conventional cows are quite the opposite.  They have much shorter life spans, and many die of health related issues or disease.  Many activists are concerned and in an uproar about the inhumane aspect of the treatment and management of these particular animals.  The conventional heifers (females) are forced to produce way more than what’s natural for that animal, resulting in many health problems and ultimately leading to their demise.  In many states these sick cows are actually used in production and fed to our school children.

The whole organic wave was so we, as consumers, would not be subject to the unhealthy and unnatural products from these animals.  But as we have sadly discovered, we cannot leave it up to the USDA to determine that for us, at least not yet.  You as a consumer must do your homework.

Continue Reading Organic Milk Pg 2