Check Traffic

Check Traffic
Live Cameras, Conditions

°

Homepage / Health
Text Size

PETA Urges Ben & Jerry's To Use Human Milk

POSTED: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
UPDATED: 9:28 pm CDT September 23, 2008

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., urging them to replace cow's milk they use in their ice cream products with human breast milk, according to a statement recently released by a PETA spokeswoman.

"PETA's request comes in the wake of news reports that a Swiss restaurant owner will begin purchasing breast milk from nursing mothers and substituting breast milk for 75 percent of the cow's milk in the food he serves," the statement says.

PETA officials say a move to human breast milk would lessen the suffering of dairy cows and their babies on factory farms and benefit human health.

"The fact that human adults consume huge quantities of dairy products made from milk that was meant for a baby cow just doesn't make sense," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Everyone knows that 'the breast is best,' so Ben & Jerry's could do consumers and cows a big favor by making the switch to breast milk."

In a statement Ben and Jerry's said, "We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child."

Read PETA's letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield

September 23, 2008

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Cofounders

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc.

Dear Mr. Cohen and Mr. Greenfield,

On behalf of PETA and our more than 2 million members and supporters, I'd like to bring your attention to an innovative new idea from Switzerland that would bring a unique twist to Ben and Jerry's.

Storchen restaurant is set to unveil a menu that includes soups, stews, and sauces made with at least 75 percent breast milk procured from human donors who are paid in exchange for their milk. If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers-and cows-would reap the benefits.

Using cow's milk for your ice cream is a hazard to your customer's health. Dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies, constipation, obesity, and prostate and ovarian cancer. The late Dr. Benjamin Spock, America's leading authority on child care, spoke out against feeding cow's milk to children, saying it may play a role in anemia, allergies, and juvenile diabetes and in the long term, will set kids up for obesity and heart disease-America's number one cause of death.

Animals will also benefit from the switch to breast milk. Like all mammals, cows only produce milk during and after pregnancy, so to be able to constantly milk them, cows are forcefully impregnated every nine months. After several years of living in filthy conditions and being forced to produce 10 times more milk than they would naturally, their exhausted bodies are turned into hamburgers or ground up for soup.

And of course, the veal industry could not survive without the dairy industry. Because male calves can't produce milk, dairy farmers take them from their mothers immediately after birth and sell them to veal farms, where they endure 14 to 17 weeks of torment chained inside a crate so small that they can't even turn around.

The breast is best! Won't you give cows and their babies a break and our health a boost by switching from cow's milk to breast milk in Ben and Jerry's ice cream? Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tracy Reiman

Executive Vice President

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of American children have ADHD. Find out more about the causes and symptoms of ADHD. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Diabetics are now finding new ways to connect better. Get your supplies consultation and join the largest diabetes community! More

There is no absolute number of drinks per day that defines alcoholism. Learn the behavior and body reactions that constitute alcoholism. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

    • Pastor Accused Of Sex Assault

      Darrell Dean DunnA pastor from Crosby is accused of sexually abusing two boys who attended his church's school, KPRC Local 2 reports.

    • Captain: Help Solve Daughter's Killing

      Selestino TorresA Houston Fire Department captain asked for the public's help finding the man suspected of killing his daughter, KPRC Local 2 reports.

    • 1,400 Arrested In South Texas

      U.S. marshals and police arrest more than 1,400 fugitives and cleared 1,654 warrants during a monthlong cooperative between federal, state, and local law enforcement in South Texas.

    • Pelosi Shuts Down Jackson Resolution

      House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shuts the door to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.

    • Oklahoma Baby Born At 12:34:56, 7/8/09

      A baby boy comes into the world on a rare, twice-a-century alignment -- 12:34:56 on 07/08/09.

  • VideosClick to Expand

    • Man Lies About Military Heroics

      July 9, 2009: A Houston man's military heroics were fabricated. Alana Gomez Dong reports.

    • Houston Nets 1,000+ Fugitives

      July 9, 2009: Operation Falcon rounds up more than 3,500 fugitives across the nation. Joel Eisenbaum reports.

    • Local 2 Investigates: Inside Bar Raid

      July 8, 2009: A bar that's had its liquor license pulled and where police have looked for sex trafficking victims is raided, KPRC Local 2 Investigates reports.

    • Pastor Accused Of Fondling Students

      Darrell Dean DunnJuly 9, 2009: A pastor from Crosby has been accused of sexually abusing two boys who attended his church's school. Phil Archer reports.

    • Man Makes Patriotism His Mission

      July 4, 2009: While the focus of the Fourth of July is usually on barbecue and fireworks, one local veteran wants to make sure we pay tribute to the true patriots who have served our country. Alana Gomez Dong reports.

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand

Marketplace

  • JobsClick to Expand

    • Interview Take-Along Checklist

      You’re interviewing for a job tomorrow, and you think you’re prepared. We’ve created this handy checklist so you won’t forget a thing.

    • Select The Right Career Path

      Whether you're a college student preparing for graduation or an established professional unsure about a midlife change, deciding upon a career can be difficult.

    • Avoid These 7 Cover Letter Mistakes

      While some employers don't bother reading cover letters, most do. And they will quickly eliminate you if you make these mistakes.

    • Job Termination & Your Resume

      No matter how you left, you need to present the best accomplishments you made at the job to prospective employers.

  • AddictionClick to Expand

  • InsuranceClick to Expand

    • Auto Insurance Quotes

      Simply enter your zip code and get great deals on your car insurance from the top companies. Click here and start saving today!

    • Health Insurance Quotes

      No matter where you live, you shouldn’t have to pay too much for health insurance. Your zip code is all you need and we’ll do the rest to find you great insurance rates.

    • Home Insurance Quotes

      Your home is your most valuable asset. So make sure you have coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

    • Life Insurance Quotes

      What would happen to your family if you were suddenly gone? Don’t leave their future to chance and find top quality life insurance before it’s too late.

    • Business Insurance Quotes

      Don’t take chances when it comes to insuring your business. To get the best rates from top companies in your area just enter your zip code.

  • BudgetingClick to Expand

  • HomesClick to Expand