PA Consumers Can't Know if Their Milk is Hormone Free

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has banned milk companies from labeling their packaging ''rBST-free'' or ''BGH-free'' (The Morning Call, Nov. 14). Thanks to intense pressure by Monsanto Company, which manufactures artificial bovine growth hormone, the consumer is no longer allowed to make an informed decision about what kind of milk he or she wants to drink.

The sale of hormone-free milk has been on the increase, and Monsanto has responded to this consumer demand by attempting to keep the consumer in the dark. Apparently, we are not smart enough to decide what to put into our bodies.

Next, the Agriculture Department will outlaw labels that say ''preservative-free,'' lest those labels hurt the bottom-line of the chemical companies.

If Pennsylvania had meaningful lobbyist-disclosure laws, we would know whose pockets are lined with Monsanto money. I will continue to purchase rBST-free milk, despite attempts by Monsanto and the state to prohibit me from doing so.

Karen Ennis

Breinigsville

Here, here, Karen. I agree. I bet some the people leading the PA Dept. of Agriculture are former or current employees of Monsanto.

SUGGESTION: Hey, let's ask our grocery stores to advertise on their shelves which milk products are hormone free. I know there are some grocery stores that care about what their customers want. They could print it right on the price tag on the shelf.