US organic suppliers and dairy manufacturers have launched separate lawsuits against Ohio over the state’s new labelling laws for products made with artificial growth hormones.
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Ohio has moved to prevent manufacturers from telling consumers if their products are made without rBST, a synthetic growth hormone.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) have criticised the move, arguing their members want to market their products as not including rBST.
The OTA said Ohio’s regulation was “unconstitutional” and claimed agribusiness giant Monsanto was “the driving force” behind the policy.
“The Organic Trade Association firmly believes that consumers have a right to know, and want to know, about the products they purchase, and organic farmers and processors have a right to communicate with their consumers regarding federally regulated organic production practices,” said Caren Wilcox, executive director for the OTA.
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By GlobalDataFor its part, the IDFA said the law would hurt dairy manufacturers financially by forcing them to revamp the labelling on their products.
“The practical effect of the Ohio rule silences manufacturers of dairy products and prevents Ohioans from knowing whether artificial growth hormones have been used in dairy products,” Peggy Armstrong, communications director for the IDFA, added.
