Are there hormones in meat and milk? What every parent should know

The truth is all food contains hormones. All living things – plants and animals – naturally produce them.

Hormones help regulate growth, reproduction and our everyday bodily functions. So when you hear the term “hormone-free” food, that’s just clever marketing.
 

Are hormones in meat and milk safe?

Yes, the tiny amounts of hormones in meat and milk are completely safe for people to consume, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and nutrition experts.

Our bodies don’t recognize these cattle hormones because they are broken down during digestion, explains Lorraine Lanningham-Foster, a nutrition scientist and chair of Iowa State University’s Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.

“The hormones that are there (in meat and milk), they can’t impact your body. It’s not something we can process and use in our bodies,” Lanningham-Foster says.
 

Are there added hormones in meat and milk?

Sometimes, yes. For over 50 years, cattle farmers have safely used hormones to help cows grow more efficiently, making beef leaner and using fewer resources like feed, water and land.

In dairy cows, the use of a hormone called rBST is rare due to consumer preference. Fewer than 1 in 6 cows (15%) are given rBGH, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

If you see milk labeled “hormone-free,” you will notice a disclaimer stating there isn’t a significant difference between milk from cows that did or didn’t receive rBST. That’s because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires this clarification - it wants consumers to have accurate information.

The FDA also continues to review and test added hormones, including those that have been approved for decades, ensuring they remain safe.

Hormones levels in food are safe

Even when added hormones are used, the hormone levels in meat and milk remain extremely small.

For example, a single 4-ounce serving of beef from a hormone-treated cow contains about 1.6 nanograms of estrogen, compared to 1.2 nanograms of non-treated beef. That difference is minuscule - one nanogram is equal to a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

To put things in perspective, women naturally produce about 500,000 nanograms of estrogen each day, while men produce about 200,000 nanograms of estrogen daily. Even growing children produce significantly more estrogen than what’s found in any food.

Many plant-based foods actually contain much higher hormone levels than beef. A cup of soymilk has 25,000 nanograms of estrogen. Other foods like cabbage, peas and peanuts contain thousands of times more estrogen than beef ever could.

Despite online myths, there’s no scientific evidence linking hormones in milk and meat to early puberty in girls, Lanningham-Foster says. Multiple studies have debunked this claim, reinforcing that these foods are safe for families to enjoy.
 

Should I buy organic meat and milk?

It’s all about personal preference and what fits within your budget.

The good news is, whether you choose organic or conventional, both are equally safe and nutritious. It’s OK to buy what fits your budget.

“It’s great that we have choices in our food supply,” Lanningham-Foster says.

That means you can shop with confidence, knowing you’re making the best choice for your family – whatever that may be.

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Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.