272794 Fri Apr 18 17:27:25 -0700 2003 6 28 Kosher 0 1435509 I try to buy Farmland milk in my neighborhood in Brooklyn because it does not contain bovine growth hormone. Lately I've had no luck with quarts or half-gallons of whole-milk--seems like skim plus and low-fat are carried more often. However, I've seen lots of New Square milk. It is kosher, but has nothing on the label to indicate whether or not it contains BGH. Anybody know the kosher regs on hormones, or that one in particular? Fri Apr 18 17:27:25 -0700 2003 0 Miriam 1 1435510 The link below might answer some of your questions about New Square. Link: http://www.jewish-holiday.com/gotmilk.html Fri Apr 18 17:42:22 -0700 2003 1435509 0 mimi-dc 2 1435511 That is an interesting website, and nice to know that Ahava is not using RBST. From a halachic standpoint, can anyone tell me if there is anything in kashrut that would actually prohibit the use of bovine growth hormone? The few pages I looked at seem to imply it would not, but that all the cholov Yisroel milks avoid it anyway (good for them). Am I reading this right? Fri Apr 18 21:03:02 -0700 2003 1435510 0 PayOrPlay 3 1435534 You are reading this right. There is no halachic reasoning against the inherent kashrut of bioengineered products. Sometimes it is even seen as helpful. Chymosin is a bioenginnered enzyme used to coagulate milk in cheese. Since natural enzymes usually come from animals, this was seen as a good thing for kosher cheesemakers. By some reports, 90% of commercial cheese production in the US uses this bioengineered enzyme. So although there is nothing technically "unkosher" about it, there is a significant movement within all denominations of judaism that practice "Eco-Kosher". This is an interpretation of kashrut and judaism that says that we are stewards of the land and it is not our right to take what we need. Examples of this would be not using styrofoam, or eating veal. This applies to GMO's as well. The current authoritative interpretation of kashrut is not as broad to include ecological, environmental, or "unnatural" concerns. It is up to individuals to practice the way they believe. Luckily, the largest producer of Cholov Yisrael, Ahava, also believes in the tenets of Eco-Kashrut to the extent that they do not use the hormone in their milk. Thu Apr 24 13:01:47 -0700 2003 1435511 0 baruch 3 1437580 Could you please tell me if there is Kosher Milk in powered form.Thank You. Regards, Darren. Wed Apr 21 21:35:39 -0700 2004 1435511 0 darren 1 1435544 There is nothing wrong with RBST or BGH or whatever you want to call it, for either kashrut or health. Ahava/NewSquare/MorningSelect does not use it, and engages in disgraceful propaganda against those who do, claiming, in effect, that their products are poisonous. Since I saw this ad, I have tried to avoid their products. I would like to know though, whether there is a reliable Chalav Yisrael supplier that davka *does* use RBST/BGH/whatever, so that I can support them against this nonsense. The Torah calls us a `wise and understanding nation', and we are forbidden to engage in silly superstitions such as astrology, so as not to give the impression that Jews are stupid enough to fall for such things. It seems to me that participating in this anti-bioengineering hysteria breaks the spirit of this law. Mon Apr 28 16:56:17 -0700 2003 1435509 0 Zev Sero 2 1435558 And in case anyone still thought that the anti-biotech campaigners were well-meaning, if a bit nutty, here's a report on their latest dirty tactics. People, you are being conned by some very nasty people with a political agenda, and by some crooks out to make big bucks from the gullible public. The knowledge of how to manipulate genes to improve plants and animals is one of the greatest gifts that Hashem has given mankind in the last few decades, and we should not spit in His face and say we don't want it. Link: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/headline_detail.cfm?HEADLINE_ID=1887 Tue Apr 29 13:45:26 -0700 2003 1435544 0 Zev Sero