Written by
Louise W Lu, PhD, MPH, BMLS
Reviewed by
Joyce Liu, Associate Holistic Nutrition Coach
Have you ever found yourself hesitating in front of the supermarket’s refrigerated shelves?
On the left, there’s the more affordable regular milk. On the right, the organic milk that often costs nearly twice as much. Your friend says: “Go for organic, it has fewer hormones and is better for your health.”
But you can’t help wondering: does that mean regular milk isn’t safe?
In reality, the difference between organic and regular milk goes far beyond price. It’s about whether there are added hormones or antibiotic residues, whether the nutritional profile is more balanced, and even how the cows are fed and raised.
In other words, choosing organic milk isn’t just about “paying more”—it’s about giving yourself and your family extra peace of mind.
❓FAQ: About organic milk, here’s what you may want to know (click to expand)
Q1: Does regular milk really contain hormones?
The answer is: yes. All milk naturally contains some hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which are secreted by cows during the lactation process.
These “natural hormones” exist in both conventional milk and organic milk.
The difference is: some conventional farms inject cows with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST/rBGH) to increase milk production.
This practice raises the cow’s levels of IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1).
IGF-1 is a protein hormone mainly secreted by the liver. It promotes cell growth, division, and metabolism, and is believed to be related to puberty development and certain cancer risks.
As a result, higher levels of IGF-1 may also be detected in milk. Although current research has not clearly proven that these levels of IGF-1 directly harm human health, consumers are generally concerned about the potential risks of long-term consumption.
On organic farms, such additional growth hormones are strictly prohibited, so you can avoid the issue of “extra artificial hormones.”
Q2: Can regular milk have antibiotic residues?
In conventional farms, when cows get sick, antibiotics are often used for treatment — this is a necessary practice in animal care.
By regulation, cows that receive antibiotics must go through a withdrawal period, allowing the drugs to be metabolized before their milk enters the market.
The reality, however, is: studies have still detected low levels of antibiotic residues in samples of regular milk.
These residues are usually within legal limits and pose little direct harm, but there are two common concerns about long-term exposure:
- Some groups (especially children or people sensitive to medications) may be more vulnerable.
- Public concern that antibiotic residues could contribute to the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.
In contrast, on organic farms, antibiotics are also allowed when cows are sick, but once a cow has been treated, its milk can no longer be sold as “organic milk.”
This is why organic milk samples almost never show detectable antibiotic residues.
Q3: What’s the difference between organic farms and conventional farms?
When it comes to milk quality, the way cows are raised makes a big difference. Here’s a simple comparison:
| Aspect | Conventional Farms | Organic Farms |
|---|---|---|
| Hormones | May use recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST/rBGH) to boost milk yield, leading to higher IGF-1 levels in milk. | Strictly prohibited from using any synthetic growth hormones. |
| Antibiotics | Antibiotics are used when cows are sick; traces may occasionally be detected in milk samples. | Antibiotics are allowed only for sick cows, but their milk can no longer be sold as organic milk. |
| Feed & Pesticides | Feed may contain crops treated with synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. | Feed must be certified organic; synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs are not allowed. |
| Nutritional Profile | Grain-based diets often mean lower omega-3 and higher omega-6 levels. | Pasture-based diets result in higher omega-3, better omega-6:omega-3 ratio, and more antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E, beta-carotene). |
In short: organic farms avoid extra hormones, minimize antibiotic risks, reduce pesticide residues, and often provide milk with a better nutrient profile.
Q4: Is organic milk safer in terms of pesticides and chemical residues?
Yes. Pesticide and chemical residues in milk mainly come from the feed cows consume.
On conventional farms, feed crops (such as corn and soy) are often grown with synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, which means low levels of pesticide residues can sometimes be detected in milk samples.
What makes organic farms different: feed must be organically certified, and the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs is strictly prohibited.
Studies show that organic milk samples almost never contain detectable levels of these common pesticide residues.
Although residues in regular milk are generally within legal safety limits, many consumers prefer the lower-risk option of organic milk.
Q5: Does organic milk truly have better nutritional value?
The nutritional differences between organic and regular milk mainly come from how cows are fed.
On conventional farms, cows are often fed more grain-based diets, which tends to result in milk with higher omega-6 and lower omega-3 fatty acids.
On organic farms: cows spend more time on pasture and grass-based diets, which means milk contains higher omega-3 fatty acids and a healthier omega-6:omega-3 ratio.
Several studies also show that organic milk may contain higher levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene.
While these differences may not bring “instant” health changes, from a long-term perspective, organic milk offers potential advantages for cardiovascular health and overall nutrient balance.
Authors:
Joyce Liu
Associate Holistic Nutrition Coach
With over 12 years of experience in the dairy industry and a strong background in cross-border brand strategy, Joyce is currently pursuing formal training in nutritional science. Her work bridges the fields of food science, consumer behavior, and public health. Passionate about evidence-based nutrition, she is committed to translating scientific research into trustworthy health solutions that empower consumers to make informed dietary choices.
