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Answer: Yes — rBGH is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US food. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: conventional milk, cheese, dairy products.
TL;DR: rBGH is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (hormones).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
CAS 9002-72-6.
Other names: rBST, recombinant bovine growth hormone, bovine somatotropin
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | conventional milk, cheese, dairy products |
| CAS number | 9002-72-6 |
rBGH is a synthetic growth hormone injected into dairy cows to boost milk yield.
Producers use it to increase weight gain, milk output or feed efficiency.
Banned in the EU, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand over animal-welfare and elevated IGF-1 concerns.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of rBGHwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose organic, grass-fed or 'no added hormones' certified meat and dairy, or EU-imported products. BannedPantry flags conventional animal products linked to banned hormones.
Yes — rBGH is banned in the European Union, while it remains allowed for use in the United States.
rBGH is allowed in the United States. US regulators have not imposed the same restrictions that apply across the EU.
Independent reviews flag rBGH for documented health or environmental risks, which is why EU regulators acted while the US has not.
Choose certified-organic or EU-imported products, check labels, and scan barcodes with BannedPantry to flag rBGH instantly.
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