Organic milk has been in short supply in the United States for years. But soon, a regulation change and increased production will allow organic milk to flood the U.S. market.

The organic milk supply will likely increase by at least 40 percent this year, creating an excess of 25 million gallons.

Companies are planning new uses for the short-term excess supply, or are stepping up promotions. Dean Foods, the largest dairy processor and distributor, added 64 organic farmers in 2006, taking their total to 350. Another 167 farmers are currently in transition to organic status.

In 2008, the organic milk supply is expected to return to equilibrium as retail promotions expand the market.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

No surprises here. Most multi-national food giants aren't stupid. They will apply nearly every trick in the book to charge more for their products. The massive increase in organic foods is a perfect opportunity for them. They have been most eager to capture some of the large revenues being generated by this interest, which has in a large part been facilitated by this Web site.

However, nearly all of these newcomers will cut corners in every way possible to minimize the quality of the product and maximize their profits. The classic example here is the recent story of Dean Food's Horizon "Organic" milk.

Expect a surge of similar ultra-LOW-quality organic milk products to come to American grocery stores soon. But don't expect prices for organic milk to fall, as the dairy industry expects the glut to be short-term.

Unfortunately, the current focus on organic milk diverts the attention of most folks away from the most important question: Is organic milk any better for your health? Even conventional medicine agrees there's no inherent advantage to consuming organic milk, except to the companies that profit from it.

What's being obscured here is the simple fact that pasteurized milk -- organic or not -- does your health no good at all. The pasteurization process alone destroys milk's natural micronutrient and vitamin content, encourages the growth of harmful bacteria, and makes the major part of calcium insoluble, leading to rickets and bad teeth.

Here are a few more reasons why many people are now choosing raw milk instead:

• It has more nutrients: Raw milk is an outstanding source of nutrients, including healthy beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as vitamins and enzymes.

• People feel the health benefits: Raw milk is not associated with any of the health problems surrounding pasteurized milk, such as rheumatoid arthritis, skin rashes, diarrhea and cramps. Even people who have been allergic to pasteurized milk for many years can typically tolerate and even thrive on raw milk.

• It tastes better: As with any food, fresher is always better, and this applies to milk as well. Fresh raw milk is creamier and better tasting than pasteurized milk.

So, your best bet for your health is to seek out safe sources of raw milk, one of the finest sources of calcium available to humans. You can locate a source near you by reviewing the offerings at Real Milk.

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