Is it worth the expense to buy organic milk?

Question

I've been buying organic milk lately, and I just wondered if it was actually worth it to spend the extra $2 a gallon.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, there isn't really a good website that presents the facts unbiased. They all slant hard one way or the other. It depends on the brand of milk you are buying. I did my thesis on organic milk and found that as the regulations stand right now, there is no requirement for amount of food coming from grass. So some of the larger companies give access to pasture but truck in the feed. The health claims stand behind cows being fed grass and not grains. Now some companies are making the switch to grass-fed. Bottom line is grass-fed is more important than "organic". There is absolutely no difference between organic milk and "regular" milk in terms of hormones. I'm sure someone will debate this but there is ABSOLUTELY NO TEST that can tell the difference between the two based on hormones. The hormone is burned up by the cow to produce milk and trace amounts are secreted naturally whether the cow was given extra hormone or not. The human body simply burns it up when it reaches the stomach. Buying organic is a 'piece of mind' thing for some people. But if you are buying it for some health benefit then you should see what the company you buy from is feeding their cattle. Buy local. Happy to follow up on this
In response to other posts-there is NO scientific evidence showing one tastes better than the other (given that the milks were pasteurized the same way). When someone hears organic, they THINK it tastes better but when given the two milks without the person knowing, no test has shown a difference. The reason organic milk lasts longer is because it is pasteurized at much higher temperatures. There is nothing 'artificial' added to standard milk-that is illegal. This higher heat also affects the flavor over standard milk-some people like this cooked flavor and some don't. My responses are based on published articles from scientific journals-sorry it is so long.

Answer 2

Pauls Organic Milk

Answer 3

yes, the taste is so much better and if for some reason you are like me an only use a little milk here and there then buying organic milk tends to last longer (has a longer shelf life) instead of going bad in about 10 days it will last over a month. however if you use milk all the time it might be cheaper to buy the other stufff. health wise it makes no diffrence. it's really up to taste and qunitiy.

Answer 4

Depends on your thought process. If you don't have that extra 2 bucks to buy the organic milk, then don't kill yourself over it. If you do, remember from organic milk you get no growth hormones or pesticides from the grasses that the cows put into their systems. You're putting something more pure through your body and in the long run, it may help you health wise, but if you can't afford the milk then it's understandable.

Answer 5

If it's *raw* milk, I'd say it's worth an extra $2.

I'm not sure there's any extra benefit to buying organic. However, raw milk has larger size cream globules that reduce hardening of the arteries, it tastes better, and it has enzymes in it that make it easier to digest; my wife cannot digest storebought milk. Raw milk also keeps about 7 days, and store-bought only seems to last 4, maybe 5 days.

I buy raw milk on the farm for about $2.50/gallon, and the stores all charge about $3.75 for their milk. On the other hand, it's about 15-20 miles to that farm, so I probably am paying a considerable premium in time and money, by the time you figure in the costs of driving to the farm.

Answer 6

YES. Absolutely. Whatever it costs it is worth it.

The organic milk will have no growth hormones, no pesticides, no antibiotics and the cows are generally vegetarian fed. I used to be terribly allergic to dairy products, including being lactose intolerant, and then I switched to 100 percent organic dairy and I have absolutely no problems whatsoever.

And if you have kids, would you really rather have them start developing breasts and chest hair by the time they are 7 because of all the added hormones? Who needs that? Better to be safe and give them an all natural, organic product.

And whoever said that the level of hormones is minimal must be a nonorganic dairy farmer. ANY level of hormones is too much. It is NOT NATURAL.

Spend the money. You and your family are worth it!

Answer 7

The hormones everyone fears are of such low quantity that they do not affect humans one bit. This is just another scare tactic by those pushing this "organic" lifestyle.

Is it worth it? No. "Organic" anything is pretty much up in the air. Can you taste the difference between organic and non-organic with the same grade of milk? Maybe. It would depend on the cattle feed, NOT the addition of hormones. So, those who claim "it tastes better" are imagining part of it. It may taste different to them (once again, based on cattle feed), but whether it is better is wholly subjective. Don't use that as a basis for purchase, because you may think otherwise.

Answer 8

Well 2% milk is around $3/gallon where I live, so $2/gallon is a good deal for organic milk.

Answer 9

I personally don't believe it is and if you use a lot, with kids and all that would be $8-$10 out of my budget.
That money would buy a decent sized piece of corned beef large enough for 2 meals, and some for sandwiches.

Answer 10

Good GOD where do you live,,,!!! (Ok extra)
Is that $6.00/gal??
MILK is over $4.oo/ gal here. $1.80 qt x 4 = $7.20
Gasoline Is $3.03
OTHER,,,,,, than the label Can YOU really discern ANY difference... (stay with whole milk)
Other than the label is there any nutritional values that are different..???
The Organic label was ,,granted,, for" NOT " "not" providing antibiotics,, and other medicines to provide the "Cow" with good health standards and protection..
as for nutrients,, Any excess that your body does NOT need 'IS' po-pe
You judge!!!
To hell with "Fair Market Pricing" it is not working..
Potato chips are over $3.00/lb (??)
You can not go the cashier and say 'I'm only going to pay $1.10"
OR CAN WE!