Farm drugs & processing · rBST / rBGH

Where rBST / rBGH is banned, and why

By Rashad Bayram · Published 29 Oct 2026 · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

Where it stands

drug · Banned in 4 of 8 · Allowed in 2 of 3 in North America

European UnionBanned
Banned since 1990.
United KingdomBanned
Kept the EU ban.
ChinaNot verified
Not verified in this research pass. Check GB 2760-2024, the national food additive standard.
RussiaAllowed
Approved.
JapanBanned
Not permitted.
United StatesAllowed
Approved since 1993.
CanadaBanned
Never licensed.
MexicoAllowed
Approved.

Also banned in: Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Israel

Why is it restricted?

The EU and Canada based their bans on cow health (more mastitis, lameness and fertility problems). FDA and WHO say the milk is safe for people.

Where is it found?

Milk and dairy from treated cows.

How do I spot it on a label?

rBST
rBGH
bovine somatotropin
"from cows not treated with rBST"

What you can do: In Canada, domestic milk can't come from treated cows. In the US, look for "from cows not treated with rBST" or organic.

Quick answers

Is rBST / rBGH allowed in Canada?: Banned. Never licensed.
Is rBST / rBGH allowed in the United States?: Allowed. Approved since 1993.
Is rBST / rBGH allowed in the European Union?: Banned. Banned since 1990.
Is rBST / rBGH allowed in Mexico?: Allowed. Approved.

Sources

23.Senate of Canada committee: rBST not licensed (opens in a new tab)sencanada.ca · Primary: government, court or law
24.Wikipedia: Bovine somatotropin (opens in a new tab)wikipedia.com · Tertiary: encyclopedia or summary, a pointer only

Chemical washes on poultry
Also banned in EU, UK
Growth hormones in beef
Also banned in EU, UK
Olestra
Also banned in EU, UK, CA
Brominated vegetable oil
Also banned in EU, UK, CA

General information, not legal or medical advice. “Banned elsewhere” doesn't automatically mean unsafe: some bans rest on animal welfare, trade or caution. Read the fact checks before sharing a list.