Is Organic Milk with DHA Omega-3 actually organic and good for you? An organic industry watchdog group says ‘no’.
Mark Kastel, co-director of the The Cornucopia Institute calls the labeling “a willful and flagrant violation” of the Organic Foods Production Act that was passed by Congress in 1990.
The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that you should consult with your physician before consuming DHA Oil. This warning particularly applies to pregnant women, infants and people on blood thinners.
In 1995, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and the Secretary of Agriculture argued that while the additive is not organic, it is a food necessity similar to baking powder which is another product that can not be produced organically. After extensive lobbying by organic advocacy groups, the NOSB looked at their interpretation and in 2010 admitted that its original interpretation was wrong and that manufacturers should begin phasing out DHA Oil from food products labeled organic.
Despite this ruling,many organic milk producers continued adding DHA Oil to their products while calling them organic.
The problem is that the additive known as DHA Omega-3 is actually DHA Oil. DHA Oil is synthetic and made from hexane, a petrochemical solvent and potential neurotoxin. DHA is short for docosahexaenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that scientific testing suggests is important to brain, heart and eye health. Food and Drug Administration documents show that the synthetic DHA Oil when ingested by infants can can issues such as diarrhea and vomiting.
The Cornucopia Institute “is baffled” that labeling continues to certify this as an organic product.
Large milk manufacturer’s are now lobbying to have synthetic DHA Oil included as necessary product included in organic food.
When in doubt, consume organic milk without this additive and add other organic foods such as salmon, tuna, swordfish and seaweed.
