Decoding Dairy: Your Guide to Organic, Regular, and Raw Milk
Navigating the dairy aisle can feel overwhelming. Terms like 'organic', 'regular', and 'raw' milk each carry significant implications for health, the environment, and animal welfare, but what do they actually mean? We’re here to clarify some of these terms and help you make the best choice for your family.
Organic vs Regular Milk: Understanding Farming Practices
The key distinction between regular and organic milk rests in how the cows were raised. Organic milk comes from cows raised according to organic farming standards. According to the USDA's National Organic Program, these cows must be grazed on pasture for the entire grazing season, which must be at least 120 days per year. They're also required to consume organic feed, and the use of antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones is prohibited.
Regular (a.k.a. conventional) milk does not have these same requirements, and can come from cows that may be kept in confined conditions, can be given non-organic feed, and can be treated with antibiotics or hormones to boost milk production or prevent diseases.
| Nutrient | Organic Milk | Whole Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150 | 146 |
| Protein | 8g | 7.9g |
| Fat | 8g | 7.9g |
| Carbohydrate | 12g | 11.7g |
| Sugars | 12g | 12.3g |
| Calcium | 300mg | 276mg |
| Vitamin D | 120IU | 124IU |
| Vitamin A | 500IU | 395IU |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Higher | Lower |
Is organic milk better for you?
Organic milk is derived from cows that are given organic feed and have access to the outdoors, and their milk production does not involve the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. While both organic and regular milk contain the same essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins D and B12, some studies suggest that organic milk contains higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and certain antioxidants, which could contribute to overall better health. In our opinion, yes, organic milk is better for you and your health.
Why does organic milk last longer?
Organic milk often has a longer shelf life than regular milk because of the different pasteurization processes it undergoes. Most organic milk is Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) pasteurized, a process where the milk is heated to 280°F (138°C) for a short period, which kills more bacteria than the traditional method and allows it to stay fresh for a longer period when unopened.
Why does organic milk have a longer shelf life?
As mentioned above, the extended shelf life of organic milk is primarily due to the UHT pasteurization process. This process not only kills more bacteria, but it also deactivates enzymes that can spoil the milk. As a result, organic milk can stay fresh for up to two to three months when unopened and properly refrigerated.
Organic vs Raw Milk
Raw milk refers to milk that hasn't undergone pasteurization, a heat treatment process designed to kill harmful bacteria. While most organic and regular milk sold in the U.S is pasteurized, raw milk can be either organic or conventional depending on the farming practices used. The USDA oversees organic standards, while state-level regulations apply to raw milk sales, which vary from state to state.
| Nutrient | Organic Milk | Raw Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150 | 150 |
| Protein | 8g | 8g |
| Fat | 8g | 8g |
| Carbohydrate | 12g | 12g |
| Sugars | 12g | 12g |
| Calcium | 300mg | 290mg |
| Vitamin D | 120IU | 124IU |
| Vitamin A | 500IU | 480IU |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Higher | Varies |
The Environmental Impact: Organic vs Regular Milk
Overall, the environmental impacts of dairy farming depend on a variety of factors, including the farming practices used, the size and scale of the operation, and the region where the farming occurs. However, it is clear that dairy farming can have significant environmental impacts, and efforts to reduce these impacts are important for sustainability and protecting the environment. The best farmers, both organic and conventional, will work to implement environmentally responsible practices in their operations wherever they can.
Conventional farming practices for regular milk can have significant environmental impacts. Dairy farming often requires large amounts of land for grazing and growing feed crops, which can contribute to deforestation and habitat loss. Overgrazing and intensive land use practices can lead to soil erosion, compaction, and degradation, which can reduce the land's ability to support future agricultural production. Furthermore, the discharge of animal waste, especially from large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and fertilizers used in growing feed crops can contaminate water sources with nutrients and bacteria, leading to harmful algal blooms and other negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, this approach can require large amounts of water for crop and pasture irrigation and consumption by animals, which can put pressure on water resources.
Organic farming practices are designed to enhance biodiversity and improve soil health by prohibiting synthetic pesticides and requiring outdoor access for animals. Having cows on pasture means less reliance on feed that must be shipped in, and animals return nutrients to the soil in their droppings. This rotational grazing approach can improve soil health while simultaneously reducing the need for additional fertilizers. Requiring organic feed also means there are no synthetic fertilizers that can run off into lakes and rivers, damaging aquatic ecosystems. The requirements involved in organic dairy farming can reduce the systemic risks that are often more prevalent in conventional farming where those same approaches are not required. These are just some of the benefits associated with organic dairy farming.
Neutral goes a step further by working with farmers to implement projects on their farms that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making our milk carbon-neutral. These practices are part of a systemic approach called climate smart agriculture, and they have many additional benefits for farmers, their dairy herds, and the environment.
Cow Treatment and Feed
The USDA's organic standards require cows to have year-round access to the outdoors, weather permitting and at least 120 days, and mandate a minimum of 30% of the dry matter intake of their diet to come from grazing. Conventional milk production doesn't have these requirements. While antibiotics can be used in both organic and regular farming, any animal in an organic herd who receives antibiotics is removed from the herd before administering the medicine and is not allowed to be re-introduced into the organic herd. After treatment, these cows can then be transitioned to a non-organic (conventional) herd for milking. The use of growth hormones, such as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), is prohibited in organic farming.
Which one is more nutritious?
Several studies have found that organic milk contains higher levels of certain nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, compared to conventional milk. Both types of milk are rich sources of essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins.
Does organic milk cost more?
Organic milk generally costs more than regular milk due to the higher costs associated with organic farming. However, prices can vary depending on factors such as brand, location, and retail outlet.
Is Pasteurized Milk Safer than Raw Milk?
Pasteurization ensures both organic and conventional milk are safe to consume by eliminating harmful bacteria. While raw milk can come from organic farms, it may carry a risk of foodborne illness due to the potential presence of bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.
So which milk is best for me?
Choosing between regular, organic, and raw milk depends on your priorities around health, environment, animal welfare, and budget. Milk is a healthy food option no matter which one you choose, but as a consumer, your choices can also drive positive changes in farming practices towards a more sustainable and ethical future. No matter what type of milk you choose, the most important thing is that it aligns with your values, meets your nutritional needs, and tastes delicious!
Resources
[ScienceDirect: Precision livestock farming](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/precision-livestock-f
USDA: Organic Livestock Requirements. Available at: Link
FAO: Livestock's Long Shadow. Available at: Link
CDC: Raw (Unpasteurized) Milk. Available at: Link
USDA: Organic Agriculture. Available at: Link
Journal of Cleaner Production: Comparative environmental LCA of milk production. Available at: Link
USDA: Organic Production and Handling Standards. Available at: Link
Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B, Surveillance Volume 4, 2011 - Issue 1: Levels of synthetic antioxidants (ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole) in fish feed and commercially farmed fish. Available at: Link
British Journal of Nutrition: Composition differences between organic and conventional milk. Available at: Link
USDA: Retail prices for organic and conventional milk. Available at: Link
USDA: National Organic Program. Available at: Link
NCSL: State Milk Laws. Available at: Link
ScienceDirect: Precision livestock farming. Available at: Link
ScienceDirect: Novel Technologies for Milk Processing. Available at: Link