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Organic Milk versus Non-Organic? What's Best?

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I love milk. I distinctly remember being a kid who would rush home from school and grab a large glass of milk. So refreshing and delicious. Generally speaking, we drank 2% milk when I was a kid. Over the years I moved on to 1% and eventually skim milk. When my first daughter was born we moved back to homo milk. However, the question of fat content became clouded by a question of organic versus non-organic. I will admit that I didn't even question why to buy the organic option...I just did. Was I right...was I wrong? Be sure to check out all of our amazing Green Living Ideas for Families.
 
Over the last few months, we have seen a steady incline in the amount of milk our family drinks. I'm not sure why this is...it just is. As consumption increases, so does the cost. And let's face it money is always a factor at the grocery store. However, as I have said before, we are willing to spend more if it is the best choice for our family. Recently I heard part of a report that touched on the milk industry in Canada...something about regulations being vastly different from those in the US...I didn't get all the details, but I was curious. Had I fallen victim to the old "assume" adage?
 
I decided it was time for a little research. First I did an unscientific survey of my friends on Facebook to see what other people were purchasing for their homes. Turns out that 70% of the people who answered buy non-organic milk. While I didn't ask specifically, most people added that they buy non-organic because organic milk to too costly.
 

What are the similarities between organic and non-organic milk?

Pasteurization

All milk in Canada must be pasteurized. Pasteurization is basically the process of heating the raw milk to a regulated temperature, for a regulated amount of time and then cooling the then pasteurized milk. Pasteurization is not the same as sterilization. To sterilize something is to kill all bacteria...to pasteurize something is to kill the most harmful bacteria, without impacting on flavour. Why pasteurize milk? To extend the shelf life.

Homogenization

All milk in Canada goes through the process of homogenization. Homogenization agitates and filters the milk to the point at which the fat molecules will not clump together. In other words, if left to sit, the milk will not separate.

Fortification

All milk in Canada is fortified with Vitamin D. Vitamin D is critical in your body's absorption of calcium. Milk is an excellent and readily available source of Calcium and Vitamin D optimizes it's absorption.

Growth hormones

Health Canada does not allow the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST). rbST is the growth hormone used in the United States as a means to increase a cow's milk production. Neither organic nor non-organic milk in Canada can contain any hormones.

Animal Antibiotics

No milk in Canada can contain any amount of antibiotics. In Canada, cows are allowed to be treated with antibiotics if they have an illness that requires antibiotics. Any milk that comes from a cow that has been given antibiotics must be wasted during the time the cow is on antibiotics, and for a period of time after the antibiotics have been completed. Thus, no antibiotics can be present in the milk.

How do organic milk and non-organic milk differ?

Farming practices

Organic milk comes from cows who live on organic farms. Dairy cows primarily eat hay. The hay eaten by cows on organic farms is organically grown. This does not mean that non-organic farms use poor quality food...it just isn't organically grown. As we know, organic farming means a lack of pesticides and herbicides entering our larger ecosystem. Also, living on organic farms means that cows will live a more "free-range" lifestyle. These cows will spend more time outdoors in the pasture grazing on grass and breathing in the fresh air.
 
There it is. The dairy industry in Canada is very well regulated. The provincial and federal standards address every step of the process; health of the livestock, dairy product containers, milk grading, pasteurization, cleaning, sanitizing, transportation, etc. Fundamentally, it comes down to why you buy organic products. Clearly, the difference in quality is negligible...or at a minimum it is subjective. So, if you are concerned about the "greater good" of our environment then organic is the choice for you. If however, you are looking at cost versus benefit you can feel safe purchasing non-organic milk.
 

As for our family...we are going to have to figure out what to do with the extra $4-$5 we will be saving each week.

List of sources
 

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About Jen

Jen Farr is a mother living in Toronto, Canada. She has been sharing her DIY crafts, recipes, activities and parenting advice for over 15 years on her blog Kitchen Counter Chronicle. Jen is the mom of 2 lovely daughters. She believes in the power of taking small steps that can make big impacts on the world.

Comments

  1. Personal Shopping for Discerning People says

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  2. Personal Shopping for Discerning People says

    Let me try this again... I need another coffee, people!!!! Here we go...

    Thank God. NOO need for another mortgage at this end. Great job, Jen! Keep it up. Sending you pictures of our play dough from yesterday! 🙂 Have a good day!

  3. Jen says

    Thanks Veronica!! So glad to hear the play dough worked! I've just been presented with 2 horses, 6 penguins and three owls! Beautiful works of art. Enjoy your milk!

  4. ella@lifeologia says

    Glad to have found your blog 😉
    Here's my two cents:
    I went through a lot of milk research as well - and on my journey I am believing that cow milk is not made for human consumption. It is very tough on the digestive system.
    We stock up on organic almond milk - but switch up between rice and coconut and sometimes soy for baking etc.
    -sorry to have intervened 😉
    xo

  5. Jen says

    Love all opinions and input! The debate over cows milk versus alternatives is definitely worth exploring. Glad you joined in. Thanks.

  6. M. Bloom says

    Couldn't find an email link, so here I am... You are welcome for the peg doll info. Hope you have fun with them!!!
    MB