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This is mostly about Horizon and their very poor business practices. They are like the McDonald's or Walmart of the Organic world. Horizon follows the letter of the organic laws, not the spirit. Yes, they don't use antibiotics and the cows are fed organic corn. But they're still confined feedlot-style and milked until they're dry and sold to the meat industry. The dairy laws were recently changed though to mandate pasture times so we'll see what Horizon does with that.
They've been sued multiple times for not using organic practices. Dean Foods, their owner, is one of the largest food product manufacturers in the US. I find it hilarious that they try to play the small family farm card and even go as far as using cows, grazing in the grass, on their boxes! Their poor cows are confined to feedlots and are fed grains! If you buy organic milk and Horizon is your only option, you're better off sticking to non-organic and saving those extra dollars.
There have been a number of allegations of them sourcing from largescale feedlots in which the animals have no access to forage during growing season. The feedlots themselves are really antithetical to why many of us buy organic (environmental and humane reasons), and the lack of access to organic forage violates organic standards. It will be interesting to see how the improved regulations will affect Dean foods. Dean Foods brands include Silk, Land o Lakes, Rachel's, Altadena, Mountain High, Morningstar, and more.
Not only that, there has been additional controversy with Dean foods changing their organic soymilk to non-organic, without changing the packaging. (Silk, anyone?)
That all aside, buying from local growers directly or through Organic Valley (or Stonyfield/Oikos) supports a more varied, localized food system, while buying Dean Foods supports yet another megacorporation increasing the monopolization of our food system. Organic Valley, for example, has only 1332 farmers-owners in 32 states and provinces, so you can be assured it's a quality products and not a corporation. Just something to think about before you shell out big bucks for organic milk!
Thanks so much for that info. I get my milk from a friend's cow. We switched over in the Fall and this is the first winter my scrawny kids have ever grown!! However, the couple times we couldn't get her milk, we did get Horizon. I will boycott them. Thanks again!!
I wish I had a friend with a cow! I just noticed that Horizon is at every single store I go to, including Target, and I'm sure most people are not aware that they may not be getting organic when they support that company.
I had bought Horizon organic milk a number of times, but it always tasted a bit odd and in one case threw the whole thing out down the drain it was so bad. I wont buy it anymore.
So...you stated who NOT to trust and I'm glad you brought that to our attention. I am one who drinks Silk,,,no more. Are there any Soy-milk producers you CAN trust? Can you balance your post for us. Is there a company brand we need to be asking our stores to stock?
I am sure you know there is a whole underground movement selling and buying raw milk......
So...you stated who NOT to trust and I'm glad you brought that to our attention. I am one who drinks Silk,,,no more. Are there any Soy-milk producers you CAN trust? Can you balance your post for us. Is there a company brand we need to be asking our stores to stock? ????
So...you stated who NOT to trust and I'm glad you brought that to our attention. I am one who drinks Silk,,,no more. Are there any Soy-milk producers you CAN trust? Can you balance your post for us. Is there a company brand we need to be asking our stores to stock? ????
Yeah, I know that kshe95girl. Sorry...I was trying to get someone, anyone to tell us where and what is good to buy. Didn't necessarily mean you should tell us. Sorry.
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