Federal definitions and government standards require certain information on the milk label. This helps consumers make informed choices about the food they buy.

If ingredients are added to the milk, the law requires that they be listed. One example is the addition of active cultures to make "acidophilus cultured milk." Another is Vitamin D, a hormone, which has been added for decades to improve the health benefits of milk.

Labels describe processing techniques which somehow change the milk. Labels will always list whether milk has been pasteurized and homogenized. Other processing steps may also be used. One example is removing water to make evaporated milk.

The simple truth is, Milk is Milk.

-- Reviewed and approved by the American Council on Science and Health. Dr. Ruth Kava, Director of Nutrition.