rBGH/rBST (Dairy Hormones)

Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH/rBST), developed by Monsanto and approved by the FDA in 1993, boosts milk production by 10-15% in treated cows but is banned in the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan due to animal welfare risks—including increased mastitis and lameness—and concerns over elevated IGF-1 in milk. Only 17% of US dairy cows are injected with rBST, yet market pressure has driven major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Costco to exclusively stock rBST-free milk, making it cheaper than the typical hormone-treated alternative in most supermarkets. This consumer-led shift shows that market forces can accomplish what regulation has not.