Facts:

1.  We're winning the war against rBGH (rBST) use. Dairy processors, retailers and farmers all over the country are swearing off the use of this genetically engineered hormone in response to increased awareness of consumers and their demand for rBGH-free products, both conventional and organic.

2.  Facing losses of millions of dollars, Monsanto is going back to the FDA and FTC to persuade them to curtail rBGH-free labeling.

3.  We're going to do everything possible to preserve the rights of businesses to inform consumers and the rights of consumers to know what's in and not in their food. ____________________________________________________________________________

Take Action Now!

Please take action NOW by contacting the FDA directly to tell them you don't want unreasonable restrictions on rBGH-free labeling. We're working with our friends at the Center For Food Safety and Food and Water Watch, who have the capability to send e-mails directly to the FDA.

For Food and Water Watch, go to this link:

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/fwwatch/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=11211

For the Center For Food Safety, go to http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org and then under "Urgent Actions" on the right, click on "Your Right to Know: Does Your Milk Have Artificial Hormones?" ____________________________________________________________________________

This isn't the first assault by Monsanto on processors and retailers that are simply telling the truth about their companies not using rBGH and their dairy products being rBGH-free.  In 2003, Monsanto sued Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, Maine for having this label: "Our Farmers Pledge: No Artificial Growth Hormones." Oakhurst had to settle the lawsuit by agreeing to add the FDA-recommended disclaimer saying there was no significant difference between rBGH and rBGH-free milk. Of course, we totally disagree with this statement - just go to our website at  http://www.oregonpsr.org  and click on Campaign For Safe Food and Know Your Milk brochure for details.

Also in 2003, Monsanto wrote a letter to the FDA saying that virtually ANY labeling informing consumers, such as "rBST-free," "No Artificial Hormones," and "Produced Without the Use of Artificial Hormones" was "misleading" and "deceptive."

Now Monsanto is back, urging the FDA to take further action, claiming that ". . . consumers have been and are being misinformed, misled, and unduly alarmed; and accordingly, it is in the public's interest that such practices be confronted, addressed, and stopped."

Monsanto accuses Northwest processors Sunshine (Portland) and Wilcox (Tacoma), among others, of misleading consumers. It's time to stand up for your rights -

Please take three minutes to let the FDA know how you feel NOW. Thank you!

(NOTE: There is one label we also think is misleading: "No hormones." All milk naturally has hormones, so it's justified that the FDA send a warning letter to dairies using this label.)

Starbucks Adds More rBGH-free Locations

We've received word from Starbucks that they have gone from 37% rBGH-free dairy to 51% in their company stores, reflecting their progress in asking all their dairy suppliers to go rBGH-free.

The additional 14% is in Arizona, southern Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

REQUEST: I don't always know which supplier Starbucks has in these areas. If you live in one of these states or regions, please stop in at a local Starbucks and ask which milk brand they're using and let me know by e-mail. hrnorth@hevanet.com Thank you!

And PLEASE contact the FDA through the Center For Food Safety or Food and Water Watch today!