Horizon Organic

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Horizon Organic is an organic dairy product label owned by Dean Foods, and distributed by White Wave Foods. It the largest supplier of organic milk in North America, and sold by vendors including Starbucks and Wal-Mart. Horizon produces some milk itself on a 4,000-cow dairy in Idaho and a 500-cow dairy in Maryland, and also purchases milk from many smaller dairies. Prior to being acquired by Dean Foods, Horizon was an independent public company and had acquired two other organic dairy brands: Juniper Valley Farms and The Organc Cow of Vermont.

In 2006, the Organic Consumers Association called for a boycott of Horizon Organic (and Aurora Organic Dairy), charging that the company is not following true organic standards.^[1][2] In August, 2006, the Cornucopia Institute filed a complaint with the USDA alleging that Horizon violates National Organic Program standards about the number of days cows should spend in pasture.^[3][4] The boycott has resulted in the nation's largest natural foods cooperative, PCC Natural Markets in Seattle, deciding to stop carrying Horizon Organic products.^[5][6]

[edit] References

1. ^ Lorraine Heller Horizon dairy targeted for lacking organic practices. Dairy Reporter/Food Navigator, 18 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006
2. ^ Andrew Martin Organic*. Chicago Tribune, 20 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
3. ^ Mark Chediak Suppliers of organic milk draw criticism. Orlando Sentinel, 17 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
4. ^ Chris Guy Shore farm accused of skirting standards. Baltimore Sun, 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
5. ^ Melissa Allison PCC says Horizon milk will be pulled. Seattle Times, 11 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
6. ^ Karen Robinson-Jacobs Big retailers want piece of organic pie. The Dallas Morning News, 19 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.

[edit] External links

• Cornucopia Institute organic dairy products survey