Milking time

Wal-Mart says no to rBST milk

By Kim Carlson

April 1, 2008

According to Barry Estabrook, in his excellent Politics of the Plate column on Gourmet.com, Wal-Mart has announced a decision to sell milk under its own brand — Great Value — only from cows not treated with the artificial growth hormone rBST.

As Estabrook explains, this is a big setback for Monsanto, which produces the hormone — and which has enjoyed record profits in recent years. But consumers at Wal-Mart? They’re getting what they asked for, according to a company official:

“We’ve listened to customers and are pleased that our suppliers are helping us offer Great Value milk from cows that are not treated with rBST.”