In The Kitchen

Whether you choose conventional, organic, chocolate or lactose-free milk, you can feel good about drinking milk as part of a healthy, balanced diet. All milk contains the same combination of nutrients – including calcium, potassium and vitamin D. In fact, consuming three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods each day is associated with numerous health benefits including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes with lower blood pressure in adults. In terms of quality and safety, there is no difference between organic and conventional milk. Organic milk is just one choice among many in the dairy aisle.

The term “organic milk” refers to the farm management practices, not to the milk itself. Strict government standards ensure that both organic and conventional milk are wholesome, safe and nutritious. Regardless of the farming system they use, Florida’s dairy farmers work with animal nutritionists to develop a balanced diet for their cows, including grasses and forages. And while there are no organic dairy farms in Florida, a number of farms use a modified grazing technique, combining grazing with a balanced feed ration usually given after milking. The taste of milk, regardless of whether it is organic or conventional, can differ slightly. Factors affecting taste include location of the farm, breed of the cow, variations of cow feed and even time of the year. Milk that is ultra-pasteurized for longer freshness may have a slightly cooked taste. People should do their own taste test to see which kind of milk they prefer.