Legislative and legal restrictions on labeling information regarding the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin.

With the issuance of the "Interim Guidance on the Voluntary Labeling of Milk and Milk Products from Cows That Have Not Been Treated with Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin" by the FDA in February 1994, the Monsanto Company, Inc. (St. Louis, MO) commenced the commercial sale of Posilac. Because of farmer and consumer concerns, marketing organizations, state administrative agencies, and state legislatures responded with various voluntary and mandatory regulations and rules for labeling milk and milk products with information regarding the use of recombinant bST. A regulatory labeling framework that varies from state to state has caused problems for some marketing organizations. Individuals and organizations may now turn to the judicial arena as an avenue to challenge unfavorable developments.