Breast Cancer Action Victorious in Yoplait 'Pinkwashing...( General Mills removes cancer-linked ...),Health

"General Mills removes cancer-linked rBGH milk from Yoplait Yogurt."

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Breast Cancer Action (BCA) - the highly-regarded watchdog of the breast cancer movement - today announced the success of its campaign to have General Mills remove the cancer-linked synthetic growth hormone, rBGH, from Yoplait Yogurt.

The product was the target of BCA's 2008 "Think Before You Pink" campaign (www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org). The campaign warned that Yoplait's donations to breast cancer come from sales of yogurt made with milk from cows treated with the growth hormone rBGH. Consumers responded to the campaign by contacting General Mills directly and insisting that the company stop using rBGH milk in its Yoplait brand.

"We're delighted that General Mills has decided to do the right thing in response to consumer demand," said Barbara Brenner, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action. "When a company uses the pink ribbon to sell their products, they are making a promise to support women's health. We want them to keep that promise - and we'll monitor the company to make sure they do." Japan, Australia, Canada and the European Union have all banned the use of rBGH.

Since its creation in 2002, BCA's Think Before You Pink campaign has been urging consumers to scrutinize pink ribbon marketing, ask questions and to take action when necessary. This year the campaign focused on "pinkwashers", companies that claim to care about breast cancer by promoting sales-driven contributions, but manufacture products that are linked to the disease.

"Pinkwashing companies try to have it both ways," said Brenner. "If they care as deeply as they say they do about women's lives, they'll take their commitment to the next level, as General Mills now promises to do."

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