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“Dear Santa…the milk is safe”

A New York dairy farmer has sent a letter assuring Santa and moms everywhere that the milk being left out by children around the world is safe and healthy. Beth Chittenden says while all of the labeling and information found in the dairy aisle may be confusing:

“This Christmas, I want to give all moms the gift of peace of mind, because they have absolutely nothing to fear at the dairy case. Here are the facts:

Hormones occur naturally in farm animals like dairy cows and even some produce, like cabbage. They are present in our food even when animals haven’t been given supplemental hormones – it’s a natural part of life. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there is no need to worry about hormones in milk.

According to the World Health Organization and the FDA, pasteurization destroys 90 percent of hormones in milk and the rest are broken down during digestion. Pasteurization also destroys harmful bacteria that may be present, including salmonella and E. coli.

All milk, whether organic or conventional, is strictly tested for antibiotics on the farm and at the processing plant. Any milk that tests positive cannot be sold to the public.

No research shows that milk or other dairy products play a role in early puberty. In fact, girls today drink less milk than their mothers did. Some scientists believe that childhood obesity may lead to earlier onset of puberty, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.”

Chittenden is a member of CommonGround, a volunteer group of women who grow food seeking to start a conversation with women who buy it. It was created by the National Corn Growers Association, United Soybean Board and their state affiliates.

Read more from Chittenden here: