(NaturalHealth365) We recently heard news that a major U.S. milk company declared bankruptcy. Now, many people are left wondering about the future of dairy, in general.  Of course, there are many health concerns over products from conventionally-raised cows, as well as a greater public interest in non-dairy or (true) organic milk options.  But, there’s more to this story below the surface.

For example, is choosing organic milk a guarantee that you’re getting a better quality product?  Sadly, no – thanks to a yet-to-be-closed loophole in the regulations set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Dairy producers claiming “organic standards” permits them to milk conventionally-raised cows

Stipulations control who can use the term “organic milk” on their products. And according to the USDA, dairy farmers who want to sell organic milk must ensure that all cows brought onto their farm have been managed organically from the last third of gestation (three months before birth) and on.

But, some “organic” farmers take advantage of a major loophole in the legalese surrounding the USDA’s standards, and have been bringing cows onto their “organic” farms who were actually born on conventional dairies. This is despite the fact that these conventionally-raised cows received antibiotic-laced formula as calves and were fed conventional GMO crops sprayed with glyophosate after weaning!

The ability to acquire conventional cattle has allowed many dairies to reach industrial-size with herds of 20,000+, which poses a serious competitive risk to ethical, smaller-scaled organic family farms. It also seriously calls into question the integrity and quality of the “organic” milk these dairies are producing.

Fortunately, after recent pressure from Congress, the USDA has created additional regulatory language with the intent to close this loophole. However, many are concerned the changes aren’t happening fast enough. If you want to get involved, you can click here to sign an online petition urging the USDA to take quick action and put a stop to this shady business.

Moo-ve over, conventional milk: 3 reasons to opt for better milk products

Aside from avoiding GMOs, glyphosate, growth hormones, antibiotics, and other toxins found in conventional milk, there are multiple benefits to choosing organic milk instead:

1. For example, and as we’ve reported on before, studies show that organic milk contain at least 50% more omega-3 fatty acids compared to non-organic varieties. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for health, fighting inflammation, boosting brain health, and even protecting against heart disease.
2. Organic milk also contains a higher proportion of other key nutrients and antioxidants, including iron, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids.
3. Lastly, varying levels of research indicate that organic milk and other organically-raised foods contribute less to greenhouse gas emissions and, according to sources such as Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, may help the planet by reducing “dependency [on] fossil fuel energy and mitigate environmental damage caused by emissions.”

As we now know however, some organic dairy farmers are unfortunately taking advantage of a major loophole created by the USDA. So, to make sure you’re getting a high quality milk product, be sure to select a product from a quality brand you can trust and look for organic milk (raw, if possible) that comes from 100% grass-fed cows.

Editor’s note: Click here to get an “Organic Dairy Scorecard” from The Cornucopia Institute.

Sources for this article include:

Beyondpesticides.org
Modernfarmer.com
Organic-center.org