PORTLAND, Maine, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer demand for artificial hormone-free milk led Maine's Oakhurst Dairy to take a leadership stance against artificial growth hormone (rBST) a decade ago. "It was the right thing to do then," says Stan Bennett, President of Oakhurst, "and it continues to be even more important to our customers today. Oakhurst has always been rBST-free. We haven't wavered on this issue." Others are following the Oakhurst lead. Two of the nation's largest milk companies, Dean Foods and H.P. Hood, have just announced that they are now attempting to switch to rBST-free milk throughout New England.

As soon as artificial growth hormone rBST was introduced by the Monsanto Company as a way to increase milk production, Oakhurst announced its decision to continue to only accept milk from untreated cows. The company was instrumental in getting the State of Maine to back hormone-free dairy labeling and they were first to ask their farmers not to use artificial growth hormone (a pledge they put right on their labels). Oakhurst was also first to pay farmers a premium to make this pledge.

Oakhurst's leadership on this issue put them in the spotlight when Monsanto sued over the use of The Farmers' Pledge. "Even though the FDA states that there is no significant difference in the milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormone, our consumers are concerned, and we listen," states Bennett. "While other well-known brands are just now switching from their current rBST-treated milk supply, consumers should take comfort in knowing that when it comes to artificial growth hormones, Oakhurst has never had them and never will!"

Oakhurst Dairy from Maine is Northern New England's largest family-owned, independent dairy company, with three generations of commitment to the health and well-being of the community and the environment. For 85 years, the Bennett family has stood behind every glass of Oakhurst milk. For more information on Oakhurst Dairy visit http://www.oakhurstdairy.com