I found out recently that all Pick ‘n Pay dairy prodcuts (No Name & Choice) are rBST free. They are busy phasing in the new packaging which has a label stating this fact. So adding this to the existing rBST free dairy products (Clover & Woolworths), means it’s easy to only use dairy products which are rBST free.
We have more than 10 litres of milk delivered to our office every day and I’ve convinced them to change over to Clover. If we all make the right choice maybe we can get rid of the scourge of rBST completely, without even campaigning to get it banned by the government.
The other dairies will only change when they see it affecting their sales, so vote with your wallet. Don’t buy dairy products that are not labelled rBST free.
My original post on rBST can be found here if you missed it and want to know more.
Comments
12 responses to “More rBST free dairy products”
If you want to buy rBST free milk you can also try First Choice longlife, they also claim to be rBST free
I see that Fair Cape dairies is also now rBST free. Read more on http://www.faircape.com
Looks like we have reached a tipping point, any dairies which are not rBST free will be at a disadvantage as more and more consumers become aware of the evils of rBST.
Sorry, but not ALL woolies milk is rBST free. This is the impression that many people have, but their long-life boxed milk is not. I discovered this when the more eco-friendly fresh sachets were discontinued, and found only the more expensive Ayrshire long-life labelled as rBST free, not the normal long-life.
I followed this up with research (including having come across this website during a google search) and conctacted Woolies, who avoided replying to my question. Eventually, through the Independent Newspapers consumer writer, I got an official answer from Woolies that “The rBST policy has also been extended to all fresh milk, not only Ayrshire, but unfortunately not to all the UHT milk yet.”
It also seems that other big companies such as Clover all say they discourage the use of rBST but take it on trust, as they don’t seem to carry out audits, and the hormone is not readily detectable in milk. Buyer beware.
Thanks for clarifying that Jane. Let’s hope that the big dairies have enough clout that their ‘discouragment’ of rBST is effective. Hopefully consumers will show them that we don’t want any rBST dairy products at all, ever.
They need to root that evil out.
Hi Dax, it is the very big dairies that you mention that want to maintain rBST since it means greater yields. They are the reason that we are drinking this milk. Who do you think has suggested using rBST in the first place? They have enough clout to maintain the status quo, not the other way round. Until consumers are aware of how our food chain actually works and who is in control then we really are bumbling around and not sure of what to purchase or what claims to believe. Inform yourself on how our food is produced, processed and who actually runs the show, it is both enlightening and frightening. Dairy farming is one of the cruelest due to the treatment of the calves alone, not to mention the treatment of the cow made to yield unnatural amounts of milk. So when claims are made “free to roam” and “loved cows” and pasture raised then we need to take all of that with a very large dose of salt since the reality is that dairy cows live a miserable life BUT there are a few exceptions where farms are producing ethically and healthier dairy products but please don’t believe that the big guys are doing anything other than making larger profit margins.
Hi Sonia, thanks for your input. I am under no illusions as to how our dairy is produced. I had a look at your website, I think it’s great work you’re doing and very important. Please feel free to keep us updated on your findings.
Thanks Dax. Our food security and nutritional food in South Africa is critical.
We should be posting a dairy update tomorrow so will provide you with a link to that. It’s great that you have created a discussion around this issue.
Hi guys,
I always used to buy the Yogurt from Spar which stated it was rBst hormone free. The other day I wanted to buy yogurt it was no longer the case.
I emailed Spar to complain about it and to inform them that I will no longer be using their product, only to be told that new legislation has been passed that companies are no longer allowed to advertise their products as rBst-free.
I’m horrified!
Does anyone else know about this?
Hi Bernice, I know there is legislation like that in the USA, but I hadn’t heard about it being here. I also see there are still quite a few products labelled as rBST free so that doesn’t make sense.
It is possible that they have become stricter and not allowing the label unless it can be proved. Spar may be using different suppliers at different times and therefore unable to guarantee that it’s always rBST free.
Slow Food Mother City has a presentation planned soon where the new labelling laws will be explained. A good chance to ask these questions. Keep an eye on http://www.slowfoodmothercity.co.za
I’m confused about why the rBST label isn’t always being used now. At PIck and Pay today neither Clover nor the No Name milk had the label, so I didn’t know if they are still rBST free or not. I usually buy Fair Cape or Darling milk from Spar, which still have the rBST label. Wish we could just ban the stuff already!
Clover milk used to be labeled rbst hormone free but no longer does. When I contacted the clover help line, they told me that they were not allowed to display the rbst hormone free label because it ws apparently impossible to test for the hormone in this country. needless to say I did not fall for their lies and I now buy honeydew milk that has the rbst free label displayed on the milk. Monsanto in sooperation with our government is hell bent on distroying us.
Woolworths is having to remove their rbst free label, I am sure others will follow soon, it is concerning the blind faith consumers have in labels in South Africa. Have you visited any of the Clover farms? Have you seen the living conditions of the apparent Woolwoths “Loved” and “free to roam”. Have a look at grassconsumeraction.wordpress.com and become informed consumers then make vote with your wallet.