Penn State Professor Announces: 'High Risk Groups Hit Hardest by Activists Who Oppose rbST Milk'
Penn State Distinguished Professor takes marketers to task for scaring consumers into the choice of buying more expensive milk or none at all; urges that conventional milk continue to have a prominent place in the marketplace because it is more affordable and equally nutritious.
University Park, PA (PRWEB) February 26, 2007 -- Penny M. Kris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University and a member of the USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, has authored a blog entry entitled, “ High Risk Groups Hit Hardest by Activists Who Oppose rbST Milk .”
Dr. Etherton outlines much of the academic evidence of the health benefits of dairy consumption, and suggests that advocacy groups who oppose modern dairy farming practices are having a negative impact on the rate of milk consumption which is, in turn, affecting the health of many Americans. Etherton writes:
"Clearly, public health policy advocates consumption of milk and dairy products for optimum health. The new 3-a-Day Recommendation is achievable because there is a plentiful supply of affordable milk and dairy products. It is astonishing that there is an inappropriate and misguided effort ongoing by some anti-biotech activist groups that is designed to frighten consumers about the health benefits of milk. This contrived 'good milk versus bad milk ' media campaign is designed to scare consumers to avoid milk from cows supplemented with rbST. What is unfortunate is that the milk these activists are promoting, rbST-free, costs more!....all milk contains hormones, and there is no difference in the levels of any of these between conventional, rbST-free or organic milk. Thus, all milk is equally safe, wholesome and nutritious. The only difference is price!"
To explain how confusion among milk consumers may have negative public health consequences, Dr. Etherton continues:
"My concern is that all of the scary sound bites bombarding consumers coupled with some milk processors and retailers shifting to selling the more expensive rbST-free milk will adversely affect milk consumption. I am a strong advocate of consumer choice. But the fact remains that conventional milk must continue to have a prominent place in the marketplace because it is more affordable (and equally nutritious)!
"The National Organization for African Americans in Housing (NOAAH) has voiced concern about this scare campaign. In fact, NOAAH has sent a letter to the FDA encouraging the agency to stop dairy processors from engaging in this deceptive marketing campaign. Kevin Marchman, NOAAH Board Secretary said, 'We worry that low-income consumers – fearing 'hormones in milk' but unable to afford the more expensive 'rbST-free' products – will stop drinking milk all together and opt for less-healthy alternatives.'"
Dr. Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition and ADA Plan Program Director at Pennsylvania State University. She has made significant contributions to our understanding of how certain behaviors, such as exercise, smoking, weight loss and diet, affect blood lipids and cardiovascular health in women. Dr. Kris-Etherton has been a pioneer in the area of exploring the health effects of individual fatty acids. Furthermore, throughout her career she has also been a leader in the area of needs assessment for nutrition education programs.
Contact:
Cheryl Byrne, v-Fluence
877.835.8362 X2002
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