3/20/2009

TOPEKA (HNS) — The Kansas House voted 75-44 Friday morning in favor of a bill that would limit the claims that could be made on milk labels. Under the measure, dairy producers couldn't contend that their product is free of artificial bovine growth hormone, also known as rbST or rBGH. Labels could claim that the the product comes from cows that haven't received injections of the growth hormone, which stimulates milk production. However, a disclaimer is required saying that the federal government has found no significant differences between milk from cows supplemented by rbST and milk from those that are not. Dairy plants also would have to obtain affidavits to support their claim that the milk comes from cows not injected with rbST. The bill's limitations would not apply to agricultural products certified as organic agricultural products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its National Organic Program. The chamber's action sends the bill on for consideration in the Senate, which declined to act on a similar proposal last year.