Vermont's BST label regs challenged

BST, a bio-engineered hormone that increases milk production, was approved by FDA early in 1994. The agency ruled that no additional labeling was required because BST is virtually identical to a hormone produced naturally by dairy cows. That wasn't good enough for foes of bioengineered foods, who have pressed for BST labeling at the state level. Under Vermont's mandatory BST labeling law, which applies to a wide variety of milk products, manufacturers may either: * Place labels on individual milk products; * Have each state retailer who sells products containing BST-treated milk place a prominent sign with various required statements in the display case; or * Segregate BST products in an appropriately labeled, separate display case or in a clearly marked section of a display case. Manufacturers wishing to assert their products are BST-free are subject to various verification requirements.