Starbucks Milk

An official statement from the American Society of Animal Science Board of Directors goes as follows: “The U.S. milk supply is safe, wholesome and nutritious. That remains true nearly two decades after the introduction of genetically engineered (GE) crops in 1996. Furthermore, it has been repeatedly shown that feed crops of biotech origin do not compromise the health, well-being and ability of food-producing animals to contribute to a safe, plentiful food supply.

Since their introduction, GE feed crops have become a growing segment of livestock diets, including those fed to dairy cattle. Today, more than 95 percent of the nation’s food-producing animals consume feed containing GE crops.

Recently, the milk produced by animals that eat GE feed crops came under attack. On Sunday, October 5, several anti-GMO groups launched a social media blast aimed at pressuring Starbucks to “ditch conventional milk from cows fed GMOs in favor of organic milk.” Here’s Dr. Deborah Aaron at University of Kentucky and President of the American Society of Animal Science:”What we have known in the scientific community for a very long time is that GMO feeds are not harmful to livestock, they are not harmful to humans who consume animal derived products and not harmful to the environment.”

This messaging creates further mistrust and confusion about GE feed crops among consumers when these feeds pose no health threat to animals or to the humans who consume animal-derived products.