An organization called The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) issued a press release last week objecting that the Starbucks Corporation [SBUX] is still serving milk containing Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH --a.k.a. Bovine somatotropin), despite what OCA claims is a five-year old commitment by the coffee company to offer alternatives to consumers. The OCA now believes that earlier promise was a "ploy" by the corporation to grab a feel-good headline. The same press release also says Starbucks does offer alternatives upon request but makes no effort to inform customers or employees of the choice. Not sure I follow that, what do the employees think that rBGH free organic milk is for, if they in fact have it on hand? This is same hormone that folks like Ben & Jerry's (scroll down to the bottom of the link) won't allow to touch their own fat and sugar-laden treats and is said to cause udder-inflamation in dairy cows and leaves antibiotic residue in the milk that is then consumed by humans.
There are so many health alerts issued, studies done, boycotts called for, on a seemingly increasing variety of issues every day, that I cannot see this one as a major factor for investors. Featuring "organic milk" on the menu board, however, couldn't hurt. Who doesn't like choice? I like to believe I do, at least. That's assuming I can find the new choice among the several hundred possible drink combinations already on offer.
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