Everything You Need To Know About Organic Milk
Organic milk ingredients—so what’s in this stuff?
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Organic milk is a type of dairy product produced under the specific standards of organic farming. The cows producing this milk are raised using methods that respect the natural life cycle and behaviors of the animals.
They are primarily fed an organic diet, meaning the feed is free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Moreover, these cows have access to the outdoors, and their treatment strictly prohibits the routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones, ensuring a more natural and humane lifestyle for the animals.
The milk collected from these cows is then processed following stringent organic standards. Most organic milk undergoes Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) pasteurization, which extends its shelf life. Despite the different production and processing methods, organic milk contains all the essential nutrients found in regular milk such as calcium, protein, and vitamins. However, it's often found to have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and certain antioxidants, although the exact nutrient content can vary.
Consumption of organic milk can be a part of a balanced diet, offering potential health benefits while also supporting sustainable farming practices that promote animal welfare and environmental health. Considering the nutritional benefits and ethical implications, many people choose organic milk as a preferred choice in their diet.
In the United States, the production, labeling, and marketing of organic milk are regulated by the National Organic Program (NOP), which is run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The NOP provides the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced. These regulations require dairy cows to be raised in living conditions accommodating their natural behavior, fed 100% organic feed, and not given antibiotics or hormones.
Milk producers must adhere to these strict guidelines and undergo annual on-site inspections to ensure compliance. Only then can their product bear the USDA Organic seal. This seal not only signifies that the milk is organic but also instills confidence among consumers about the product's authenticity and adherence to the organic standards. Therefore, when you buy organic milk in the USA, you are assured of its quality and the ethical farming practices that went into its production.
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Neutral’s organic milk is made up of only two ingredients:
Grade A Organic Milk and Vitamin D3—also known as cholecalciferol—the most easily absorbed form of Vitamin D.
Learn why organic milk is better for you in our comprehensive article.
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Nope, organic milk does not have any added sugar—but does contain 13 grams of naturally occurring carbohydrates to give you the energy you need to get stuff done.
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It does not. Organic milk contains no added hormones.
If you want to learn more about how organic milk is certified, check out our article!
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Not unless it is treated with enzymes to make it lactose-free. All cows’ milk contains naturally occurring lactose, which also happens to be the primary carbohydrate in human milk.
Fun fact: Human milk contains lactose and all babies are born with the ability to digest lactose because during infancy, we produce the lactase enzyme. However, as some of us age, we produce less lactase enzyme which can eventually result in lactose intolerance for some people.
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We don’t offer a lactose-free milk today, but drop us a line at hello@eatneutral.com if you’d like us to add it to our lineup!
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Not a one. Organic milk does not contain any artificial growth hormones. In fact, the inclusion of growth hormones in food products are prohibited by the USDA’s organic certification standards. To find out more, click here.
What about rBST? Is that a hormone?
rBST (recombinant bovine somatotropin), also known as a rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), is a growth hormone that increases milk production by stimulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). So again, by USDA’s organic standards, it’s not allowed.
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Yes! As a matter of fact, Neutral adds Vitamin D3 to our organic milk because Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in the U.S.
How Organic Milk is made (yes, it involves cows)
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Yes, all organic milk—that isn’t labeled as “raw”—is pasteurized to make it safer and last longer. Pasteurizing milk kills bacteria that can spoil milk or even make people sick.
Fast fact: Non-pasteurized “raw” milk is rarely sold in the U.S., since pasteurizing milk kills any potentially harmful pathogens—a.k.a. bacteria or viruses.
Learn about the differences between organic vs raw milk in our recent article.
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Nope, organic milk does not contain antibiotics. Organic standards do not allow dairy cows to be treated with antibiotics.
However, some natural treatments are allowed for use under the national organic standards. If an organic cow is not responding to organic-approved treatments, to prevent the cow from suffering, a farmer must provide additional treatment. And in the rare case where antibiotics are needed to help a sick cow get better, that cow would be removed from the organic milking herd and her milk must not be used, but she could move to a non-organic herd.
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Organic milk follows standards set by the USDA that are focused on environmental, animal, and consumer health and deter and prevent destructive farming practices.
Organic milk cows eat a diet of organic hay and grain and have year-round access to the outdoors. To learn about the differences between organic and regular milk, check out our article.
Organic milk and your health
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Yes, and here are three reasons why:
Organic milk contains easy-to-absorb bioavailable proteins, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.
One cup of organic milk contains 9 grams of protein, compared to favorite non-dairy milks like oat milk that only contains 3 grams.
Organic milk contains beneficial B vitamins like riboflavin, which are associated with neurological health and energy, and bone-healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
Decide for yourself. Check out our article that asks ‘Is Organic Milk Good For Your Health?’
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All milk, except lactose-free milk, naturally contains lactose. All babies are born with the ability to digest lactose because during infancy, we produce the lactase enzyme. However, as some of us age, we produce less lactase enzyme which can eventually result in lactose intolerance for some people.
However, this does not mean that all children can digest dairy products and especially not until their digestive systems are more developed. The CDC recommends giving cows’ milk to children starting at 12 months.
If you’re lactose intolerant, you should avoid lactose-containing milk. If you have further concerns, you should consult your doctor.
Organic Milk and the environment
Good for you AND good for the environment
One of the goals of organic farming is keeping the cows who make the milk happy and that means avoiding pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers that can pollute waterways and kill wildlife and plants. And that’s good for us too. Another goal is keeping the cows happy. So, how do organic dairy cows get treated? Let us count the ways.
Organic cows:
Have access to an outdoor pasture for the entire grazing season.
Graze on a strictly organic diet of hay and grain when kept indoors due to bad weather.
Enjoy clean drinking water, dry bedding, and space for exercise and play.
Are not given antibiotics.
Have certified organic farmers who take excellent care of them and lookout for their welfare.
Let’s talk shelf life—how to store organic milk
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Yes, you can freeze organic milk, however, it will change the texture of the milk.
When organic milk is defrosted, the fat can separate and the milk could take on a grainy texture.
While it’s perfectly safe to freeze and thaw organic milk, we don’t recommend it as the texture isn’t necessarily to everyone’s taste.
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There is no difference in shelf life between organic and conventional milk—the only thing that determines shelf life is whether the milk is pasteurized—and at what temperatures.
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Milk that is pasteurized to standard temperatures (to 161℉), will last at least 5-7 days after opening if kept refrigerated. Ultra-pasteurized milk will last at least 7-10 days. As always, keeping the milk refrigerated at 40℉ or below makes the biggest difference in terms of shelf life.