We serve milk from cows not treated with artificial bovine growth hormones
This issue of artificial bovine growth hormones is complex and controversial. At the end of the day, our first concern at Bon Appétit Management Company is the potential effect on the health of our guests. Until further studies are conclusive, we take a conservative position and offer liquid milk from cows not treated with rBGH.
rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) is a genetically engineered hormone that is injected into dairy cows to artificially increase their milk production. It has been shown to increase disease rates in cows and a significant body of scientific data has linked it to possible increases in cancer and antibiotic resistance in humans. The injection of rBGH in cows elevates a powerful growth hormone called IGF-1. This hormone has been identified in numerous studies to increase breast, prostate, colon, lung and other cancers in humans. Scientific studies suggest that IGF-1 survives pasteurization as well as digestion and enters the bloodstream in sufficient quantities to potentially trigger increased cancer rates.
Artificial bovine growth hormone has been banned in most other industrialized nations of the world.* At Bon Appétit we will continue to source milk from cows not treated with rBGH and other dairy products.
Note: The F.D.A. has said no significant difference has been shown and no test can now distinguish between milk from rBGH treated and untreated cows. Not all of the suppliers of our other dairy products can promise that the milk they use comes from untreated cows.
*Source: Physicians for Social Responsibility; Organic Consumers Association.
