After 5 years of declining sales and several legal setbacks, Monsanto has finally decided to dump recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), thanks to pressure from consumers, major retailers, dairies, and cafes, from Kroger to Starbucks, who demanded milk from cows that were rBGH-free.

Several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and the European Union have banned rbGH because of its impacts on human and animal health. In the U.S., “No artificial growth hormones used” is now commonly displayed on store shelves from Florida to California.

Injection of this hormone forces cows to boost milk production by about 10%, while increasing the incidences of mastitis, lameness, and reproductive complications. (Read more at OrganicConsumers.org)

(Thanks to Nic B. for the heads-up!)

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month – and dentists from across the country took part in a one day program to make sure underprivileged kids have healthy smiles.

The Give Kids a Smile program, now in its seventh year reaches kids ages 3-12 nationwide from New Jersey to New Mexico to Alaska. Overall more than 12,000 dentists and 30,000 volunteers joined the effort this year to treat almost a half million children.