Meijer switches to hormone-free milk

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Meijer reported today that it has begun selling its own brand of hormone-free milk. According to the company, its private label milk comes from cows that have not been treated with the synthetic growth hormone, rBST, an artificial growth hormone. The transition was announced by Ralph Fischer, group vp of grocery for Meijer.

"Our customers have asked for a different choice in their milk, as many prefer it from cows that have not been treated with artificial growth hormones," said Fischer. "We've researched the topic and have listened to our customers. If it's important to them, it's important to us."

Meijer said the decision will affect all whole, 2% reduced fat, 1% lowfat, 1/2% lowfat and fat free Meijer brand milk in gallon and half-gallon sizes. Meijer brand chocolate milk and all quart- and pint- size containers will follow suit later this year.

This move has no affect on Meijer's line of Meijer Organics Milk, since these products are guaranteed organic, and would not contain milk from any cow injected with a growth hormone. USDA Organic standards require that cows not be injected with antibiotics or artificial growth hormones.