What may be even more surprising is the silence of the U.S. Government on the issue of DHMO in the milk our families drink every day. A former U.S. Food and Drug Administration employee and a specialist in the feeding of dairy cattle, Dr. Donna Maria Waltz , warns that regulation of DHMO in the dairy industry is lacking. According to Waltz, it is the single most commonly used chemical in the production of milk. Cows are encouraged to ingest large quantities of DHMO, with studies showing that this practice can lead to increased milk production. The side effects of this practice have not been well studied.
Economic pressures play a major role in the widespread use of DHMO in the dairy industry.
In fact, in some areas, it is subsidized by the U.S. government. As a result, claims Waltz, DHMO is the single largest contaminant of milk. Further, Waltz says, DHMO is used without an approved new animal drug application in treatments to disinfect cow udders and teats, to cure hoof problems, to alleviate the impact of bovine diarrhea, and both internally and topically to treat heat stress. Purchasing DHMO-free milk is a good alternative for those who are worried about the lack of DHMO regulations in the dairy industry, suggests Waltz. Most grocery stores and pharmacies carry a number of DHMO-free milk products.