Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic, founded in 1991 in the United States , is a National Organic Program certified dairy that produces and supplies organic milk products. Horizon Organic is owned by Dean Foods and its products are distributed by WhiteWave Foods.
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[edit] Current status
Horizon Organic is the largest supplier of organic milk in North America. Its products are sold in supermarkets and grocery stores. Horizon produces organic milk on a 4,000-cow dairy in Idaho (2,400 milking cows) and an 800-cow dairy (475 milking cows) in Maryland. The company also purchases the majority of its organic milk (more than 90 percent) from more than 550 dairies in 22 states.
Prior to being acquired by Dean Foods, Horizon was a public company and owner of the organic dairy brands: Juniper Valley Farms, The Organic Cow of Vermont and United Kingdom brand Rachel's Organic. Horizon Organic's products are said to be free of antibiotics, growth hormones and pesticides. Their milk products are UHT-pasteurized for shelf-stability.[citation needed]
[edit] Development
In 2006, the Organic Consumers Association organized a boycott of Horizon Organic (and Aurora Organic Dairy), alleging that the company was not following organic standards.[1][2] Horizon Organic maintained that it was in full compliance with the USDA's organic regulations, and ultimately was found by the USDA to not be in violation of the organic regulations.
In August, 2006, the Cornucopia Institute filed a complaint with the USDA alleging that Horizon violated National Organic Program standards in reference to the amount of time their dairy cows should spend in pasture.[3][4]As a result of the boycott, one of the largest natural food cooperatives, PCC Natural Markets in Seattle, decided to discontinue Horizon Organic products from their customer offerings.[5][6] The USDA found Horizon Organic's operations to be in full compliance with the USDA organic regulations.
In March 2007, Horizon Organic published its "Standards of Care" guidelines for company-owned dairy farms in an effort to educate the public about its organic dairy practices in collaboration with Shannon Horst of Holistic Management International.[7] The standards went beyond what was required by the USDA, and were put in practice nearly two years before new regulations regarding livestock regulations were introduced.[8]
Horizon Organic says they are in compliance with the USDA requirements for organic certification.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Lorraine Heller Horizon dairy targeted for lacking organic practices. Dairy Reporter/Food Navigator, 18 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006
- ^ Andrew Martin Organic*. Chicago Tribune, 20 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
- ^ Mark Chediak Suppliers of organic milk draw criticism. Orlando Sentinel, 17 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
- ^ Chris Guy Shore farm accused of skirting standards. Baltimore Sun, 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
- ^ Melissa Allison PCC says Horizon milk will be pulled. Seattle Times, 11 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
- ^ Karen Robinson-Jacobs Big retailers want piece of organic pie. The Dallas Morning News, 19 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
- ^ Standards of Care
- ^ National Organic Program, USDA
[edit] External links
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