Does milk have growth hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that help signal many functions, including growth and development. Because hormones occur naturally in people, animals and plants, there is no such thing as hormone-free food.
You may have seen statements on foods indicating ‘no added growth hormones’. This means that added hormones were not used in the food production. In Canada, growth hormones are not permitted for use in cows that produce milk. Therefore, all Canadian dairy farmers produce milk without using added growth hormones.
In the United States, milk production is different from Canada. The USA permits using added growth hormones in dairy cattle to increase milk production. Health Canada banned the use of growth hormone in the production of milk in 1999, not because it posed risks to human health, but because of concerns about the negative health effect this practice has on milking cows, including increased risk of lameness and mastitis.
What makes milk and dairy foods special for many people is that dairy is an easy way to access important nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein which help keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
Bottom line: Milk and dairy foods produced in Canada have NO added growth hormones.
Milk is a nutritious option
Dairy products, including milk, cheese and yogurt, are rich in calcium and are also a natural source of other nutrients our bodies need, including protein, vitamin A, B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Dairy products help build strong bones, teeth and muscles, helps our blood clot, and makes sure our nerves work well.
Best known for bone-boosting calcium and vitamin D, milk provides protein, carbohydrate, fat and other vitamins and minerals. An average 8-ounce serving of 2% dairy milk supplies about 130 calories, 9 grams of protein and 20 grams of carbohydrate. All cow’s milk produced on Canadian farms is free from added hormones. Look for the 100% Canadian Milk or Dairy Farmers of Canada symbol on the package to confirm it is from Canadian farms and has not been imported.
The most recent version of Canada’s Food Guide released in 2019 recommends making water your drink of choice. Even so, Health Canada considers milk a valuable source of protein and nutrients. In the Guide, milk is included with other plant and animal foods in the protein category that should make up approximately one quarter of a well-balanced ‘plate’ together with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
What is the “best before” date?
You’ve probably seen different kinds of dates on packaged foods. The most common ones are “best-before” dates, “packed on” dates and expiration dates. But what exactly do these all mean?
Foods must have a “best-before” date if they:
- will stay fresh for 90 days or less, AND
- are packaged at a place other than the retail store where they are sold.
Bread, milk, yogurt and eggs are examples of foods which must have a best-before date. If the food isn’t meant to be stored at room temperature, then the label must show the best-before date plus any special storage instructions such as “Keep refrigerated” or “Refrigerate after opening.”
By law in Canada, a best-before date is only required on packaged food products that have a shelf-life of 90 days or less. Foods that will last longer than 90 days (such as canned food, rice, pasta, dried beans, nuts and frozen food) don’t need a best-before date, but many food companies choose to put one on anyway.
Can I eat foods past their best-before date?
Best-before dates are based on the food’s freshness and quality, rather than the safety of the food. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, you can buy and eat foods after the best-before date has passed. However, keep in mind that after the best-before date, the food may lose some of its freshness, flavour and nutritional value, and /or its texture may change.
Does the “best-before” date apply to opened foods?
No. The best-before date only applies to unopened foods. Once a food product is opened, the moisture, light and air can change its flavours and cause the food to go bad. Use the chart below to see how long different foods will stay fresh once opened.
