Randy Chandler
Tillamook Creamery has responded to consumer concerns about the presence of GMOs in their products. While Tillamook does not offer certified organic products, they are committed to producing high-quality dairy in the most natural way possible. They claim that their products are made with milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones, and their farmers are committed to quality and animal care. However, some consumers have expressed disappointment upon learning that Tillamook Cheese may be made with GMO-grain-fed cow's milk. The company acknowledges the difficulty of sourcing GMO-free feed for cattle due to the pervasive presence of GMOs in the grain supply chain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| GMO-free | Tillamook cheese is not certified GMO-free, but it is made from milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones. |
| Organic | Tillamook does not offer certified organic products. |
| Antibiotics | Tillamook's dairy cows are not systematically given antibiotics, but if a cow is treated, her milk is not used until tests prove the antibiotics have cleared her system. |
| Animal welfare | Tillamook's cows are kept in free-stall barns, where they have daylight, fresh air, space to exercise, and clean, dry bedding. They are also given vitamin and mineral supplements. |
| Feed | Tillamook cows are fed a diet of forages and grains, including grass, alfalfa, corn silage, corn, and barley. The company acknowledges that it is difficult to source feed that is 100% GMO-free. |
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What You'll Learn
Tillamook cows are fed GMO corn
Tillamook Creamery has been questioned about the use of GMOs in its products. In response, Tillamook has stated that its core ingredients, milk and cream, are not exposed to GMOs and are produced in the most natural way possible. However, some of the additive ingredients in their ice cream and yogurt may be derived from GMO sources. This includes natural flavorings (e.g. sugar or corn syrup), natural colorings (e.g. beet juice), and stabilizers (e.g. corn starch and soy lecithin).
The farmers who supply milk for Tillamook dairy products use a variety of forages and grains for feed, which is balanced by a nutritionist to ensure the health of the cows and the quality of the milk. The forage portion of a cow's diet usually includes grass, alfalfa, and corn silage, while the grain portion includes grains such as corn, barley, and soy. While Tillamook does not explicitly state that their cows are fed GMO corn, they acknowledge that due to the pervasiveness of GMOs in the grain supply chain, it is difficult to source feed that is 100% verified as GMO-free.
Some consumers have expressed concerns about the use of GMO-grain-fed cow's milk in Tillamook products, particularly in comparison to other brands like Land O' Lakes butter. There have also been lawsuits filed against the Tillamook County Creamery Association regarding deceptive marketing practices, claiming that their cows are not grazing on green pastures as advertised but are instead kept in concrete and dirt feedlots in factory farms.
In response to the lawsuits, Tillamook has defended its practices, stating that they only work with business partners that share their high standards and that the milk supplied from eastern Oregon is humanely raised. They also emphasize that their farmer-owners and suppliers take good care of their animals, and many of them send their herds out to pasture when the weather permits.
While Tillamook does not explicitly confirm or deny the use of GMO corn in their cow's feed, they acknowledge the complexity of the GMO issue and emphasize their commitment to producing high-quality, natural dairy products.
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Tillamook does not offer certified organic products
The milk used in Tillamook products surpasses state and federal quality standards. Their dairy farmers are dedicated to quality, which means taking good care of their cows and the land. Tillamook's cows are not systematically given antibiotics. However, if a cow requires antibiotics to recover from an illness, her milk is not used until tests confirm that the antibiotics have entirely left her system. Every milk delivery is also rigorously tested for antibiotics, and any trace of antibiotics results in the milk being discarded.
Tillamook's cows are fed a diet of forages and grains that are customised by an animal nutritionist to ensure the cows' health and milk production needs are met. The forage portion of a cow's diet usually includes grass, alfalfa, and corn silage, while the grain portion is a mix of grains, including corn and barley. While Tillamook does not offer certified organic feed for their cows, they acknowledge the challenge of sourcing cattle feed that is entirely GMO-free due to the prevalence of GMOs in the grain supply chain.
Some consumers have expressed disappointment upon learning that Tillamook cheese is not GMO-free. They have noticed changes in the flavour and are concerned about the treatment of cows in factory farms. Tillamook has faced criticism for its use of GMO corn in cow feed and its factory farming practices. However, Tillamook has been praised for its thoughtful and sensitive response to inquiries about GMOs, acknowledging the complexity of the issue and its commitment to producing natural products.
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Tillamook cows are not treated with artificial growth hormones
Tillamook cheese is made from milk sourced from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones. The company states that all farmers who supply milk for their products pledge not to use artificial growth hormones. This includes rBST, also known as rBGH, which is used to boost milk production in cows. While Tillamook does not offer certified organic products, they are committed to making high-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible. Their milk far exceeds state and federal quality standards.
The farmers who supply milk for Tillamook understand that healthy cows produce the best quality milk. They prioritize proper animal care practices, such as providing their cows with a healthy diet and comfortable living conditions. Tillamook's cows are given access to free-stall barns, where they have daylight, fresh air, ample space to move around, and clean, dry bedding. Additionally, an animal nutritionist helps each farmer customize a nutritious diet for their cows, which typically includes forages like grass and alfalfa, as well as grains such as corn and barley.
While Tillamook's cows are not treated with artificial growth hormones, it is important to note that their feed may contain GMOs. The company acknowledges that it is challenging to source cattle feed that is 100% verified as GMO-free due to the prevalence of GMOs in the grain supply chain. Even organic feed can be difficult to certify as GMO-free due to cross-pollination. As a result, some of the ingredients in Tillamook's products, such as natural flavorings, colorings, and stabilizers, may be derived from GMO sources.
The use of artificial growth hormones in dairy cows has been a subject of debate. While the FDA has stated that there is no significant difference between milk from treated and untreated cows, some consumers prefer to avoid products made with milk from treated cows. Additionally, milk-boosting hormone injections are not allowed in Europe due to public health and animal welfare concerns.
In conclusion, while Tillamook cows are not treated with artificial growth hormones, the company's products may contain ingredients derived from GMO sources due to the challenges of sourcing GMO-free feed. Nonetheless, Tillamook is committed to producing high-quality, natural dairy products, and their milk exceeds state and federal quality standards.
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Tillamook cows are not systematically given antibiotics
Tillamook dairy cows are not systematically given antibiotics. However, cows sometimes fall ill and require veterinarian-prescribed antibiotics to recover. In such cases, the milk from these cows is not used until tests prove that the antibiotics have entirely left their system. As a further precaution, every milk delivery is rigorously tested for antibiotics, and any milk containing even a trace amount is discarded.
The use of antibiotics in livestock has been a common practice since the 1940s, when it was discovered that feeding low doses of antibiotics to animals improved feed efficiency and accelerated their growth. However, this practice has also been associated with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans through environmental exposure or inhalation of airborne bacteria. As a result, there have been growing concerns and efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock, with new guidelines prohibiting the use of certain antibiotics for non-therapeutic purposes.
Tillamook dairy farmers recognise the importance of proper animal care practices and are committed to taking good care of their cows. They work with animal nutritionists to customise a healthy diet of forages and grains for their cows, which typically includes grass, alfalfa, and corn silage, along with a vitamin and mineral supplement to support long-term health.
While Tillamook does not offer certified organic products, they are dedicated to producing the highest-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible. Their milk exceeds state and federal quality standards and comes from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones. However, it is challenging to source feed that is 100% GMO-free due to the prevalence of GMOs in the grain supply chain, even for organic farms.
In conclusion, while Tillamook cows may occasionally require antibiotics for health reasons, they are not routinely administered. Tillamook prioritises the health and well-being of their cows and implements rigorous testing to ensure that their dairy products are safe and of the highest quality.
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Tillamook's response to GMO inquiries
Tillamook has responded to inquiries about their use of GMOs in their products. In their response, they acknowledge the difficulty in sourcing feed for cattle that is entirely GMO-free due to the pervasive presence of GMOs in the grain supply chain. They emphasize that even organic feed for organic farms is challenging to verify as GMO-free due to cross-pollination.
Tillamook clarifies that they do not offer certified organic products at this time. However, they assure consumers that they are committed to producing the highest-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible. The milk used in their products exceeds state and federal quality standards and comes from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones.
Regarding the ingredients in their products, Tillamook acknowledges that some of the additive ingredients, particularly in their ice cream and yogurt, are more complex. They explain that in the absence of clear standards or definitions around genetically modified substances, it is challenging to categorically state which ingredients are GMO-free. They admit to using ingredients like natural flavorings (e.g., sugar or corn syrup), natural coloring (e.g., beet juice), and stabilizers (e.g., corn starch and soy lecithin) that may be derived from GMO sources due to the prevalence of GMOs in US agriculture.
Tillamook emphasizes that their farmers understand that healthy cows produce the best quality milk. They work with animal nutritionists to customize healthy diets for their cows, including a mix of forages and grains. The company also mentions that their cows are not systematically given antibiotics, but if a cow receives antibiotics, her milk is not used until tests prove that the antibiotics have cleared her system. They test every milk delivery for antibiotics and dispose of any milk containing trace amounts.
While Tillamook does not explicitly state that their cheese is GMO-free, they emphasize their commitment to quality and natural practices, including sourcing milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones and implementing strict animal care standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Tillamook cheese is not GMO-free. While Tillamook does not offer certified organic products, they are committed to making the highest-quality dairy products in the most natural way possible. The milk used to make Tillamook cheese far exceeds state and federal quality standards and comes from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones. However, the cows are fed a diet that includes GMO corn.
Tillamook farmer-owners and all the dairymen who supply milk for Tillamook dairy products use a variety of forages and grains for feed. The forage portion of a cow’s food usually includes grass, alfalfa, and some corn silage. The grain portion is a mixture of grains, including corn and barley.
Tillamook uses some ingredients that have the possibility of being derived from GMO sources, such as natural flavoring (e.g. sugar or corn syrup), natural coloring (e.g. beet juice), and stabilizers (e.g. corn starch and soy lecithin). This is due to the pervasiveness of GMOs in agricultural crops in the United States.
In today's market, it is extremely difficult to source feed for cattle that is 100% verified as GMO-free, even for organic farms, due to the pervasive nature of GMOs in the grain supply chain and the possibility of cross-pollination.
