Organic milk is more stable than ordinary milk. It also has a high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids and is derived from drug-free, open pasture cows.
Some consumers believe that paying more for organic milk is worthwhile only for health reasons. Organic milk has some advantages, but it is up to you to decide if they are worth paying a premium for.
Increased Shelf Life
One significant advantage of organic milk over ordinary milk is its longer shelf life. This makes organic milk good for your health. Most organic milk products are sterilized at extremely high temperatures (about 280 F), allowing it to be stored for up to two months.
Because normal pasteurized milk is only cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or less, it does not have the same long shelf life. High-temperature sterilization, on the other hand, can make milk sweeter. Depending on your taste preferences, this could be a plus or minus.
If you’re worried about milk spoiling in your fridge, organic milk may actually save you money because it lasts much longer. You can also buy non-organic milk that has been sterilized at high temperatures, which will last longer. Parmalat, a European product, is one example, which is sold on grocery store shelves rather than in the dairy case.
Additional Nutrition
While ultra-high-temperature processing can degrade some nutrients, researchers discovered that organic milk contains a high quantity of omega-3 fatty acid.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in a variety of foods and taken as a supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in studies to minimize cardiovascular disease, improve brain development and function, and boost immune activity.
There are no additives.
Regular milk contains recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH, also known as BGH, recombinant bovine somatotropin or rBST) and antibiotics, but organic milk does not. Organic milk is derived from cows that have never been administered these medications, thus it is guaranteed to be devoid of any residue.
On the other hand, because growth hormones and antibiotics are no longer as popular (due in part to consumer complaints), many conventional dairies eschew them. Many normal milk packages will feature label claims claiming that the milk does not contain antibiotics or growth hormones. Furthermore, normal milk is analyzed to ensure that there is little to no medication residue in items released to market.
If you are concerned about probable drug residue, it is sense to get organic. Alternatively, you might do some research on the dairies in your neighborhood that sell ordinary milk products. You may be able to save some money if it turns out that they do not utilize the drugs.
Cattle Treatment
The USDA fixed a gap in its organic laws in 2010, requiring all organic dairy cattle to spend the majority of the year grazing in open pastures rather than feedlots or indoor feeding pens. While this appears to be more natural and nutritious, there is considerable debate about whether it makes the milk healthier.
Proponents believe that milk from pasture-grazed cows includes higher conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), a good lipid that some studies suggest may have health benefits. There is no substantial body of scientific evidence proving organic milk’s nutritional superiority.
Summary
Organic farming and dairy practices are better for the environment, if only because they use fewer pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and other synthetic chemical substances. When these advantages are combined with organic milk’s extended shelf life, it’s easy to understand why organic milk might be a good buy.