PETA `Tasteless, Insensitive’ with Latest Ad

August 30, 2000

The National Dairy Council and National Fluid Milk Promotion Board say the "exploitation" of New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s battle with prostate cancer by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) "is completely tasteless and insensitive." PETA is using "outrageous tactics to further its animal rights agenda, regardless of the nutritional consequences to the American public." Giuliani has issued a verbal statement to the press criticizing PETA's tactics.

Both groups say the Physician's Health Study, which PETA uses as the "backbone for its allegations about milk and prostate cancer, is a very preliminary `observational’ study, which does not show a cause-and-effect relationship. The authors specifically caution within the text of the study that men should not eat less dairy or drink less milk. In fact, the authors clearly state that more research is needed to confirm their findings.

"Moreover, many recent studies have shown that the nutrients in milk and dairy products are actually effective in reducing the risk of certain types of cancers."

Dairy's role in preventing osteoporosis, in strengthening bones and providing calcium, vitamin D and seven other essential nutrients has long been established and "lauded" by the nutrition and science community, including the American Dietetic Association, the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and many other reputable health organizations, the groups note.