No. No. No. No. No. That’s the tenor of the national conversation about food today. Consumers and advocacy groups are saying no to genetically modified organisms, hormones, high-fructose corn syrup, fat, sodium, gluten, artificial colors and preservatives, and a string of other ingredients often used in dairy foods and beverages.
As I write in "The 'no' choir sings a song of more transparency in labeling," when food manufacturers spend time to defend ingredient choices, they have less time to promote the health and nutrition of what they are selling. For the dairy industry, add the issues of animal welfare and sustainability to the agenda. None of these subjects can be avoided, but the health benefits of dairy must be promoted forcefully, frequently and forthrightly.