Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) was one of the first genetically engineered agriculture products and is a synthetic hormone given to dairy cows to force increased milk production. It can also cause udder infections leading to increased antibiotic use. rBGH also raises the levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) in cows and cow's milk. Higher IGF-1 levels in human blood is associated with higher rates of colon, breast and prostate cancer.

This guide can help to avoid the problem. This is a listing of dairy products available to Minnesotans that use milk from cows not treated with the rBGH.

In addition, General Mills announced it would eliminate rBGH from it's Yoplait brand. Yoplait is the latest addition to the growing list of companies rejecting dairy from cows treated with this hormone.