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We make every effort to ensure that Horizon Organic milk products are free of wheat, wheat gluten, rye, oats, barley and malt. While it is virtually impossible to be certain that each carton is 100% free of all gluten, Horizon Organic milk products are suitable for most people with wheat and gluten allergies. People with severe allergies should consult a doctor before introducing a new food.

Horizon adds five live and active cultures to its yogurt: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Horizon uses natural carotene and/or natural annatto to produce the orange color of our American and Colby cheeses. Annatto is a vegetable coloring made from the seeds of the annatto tree (also known as achiote). Carotene is found in carrots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. Consumers have become accustomed to white Cheddar cheese; however, Colby and American are still recognized by their traditional orange color.

No. All of our cheeses are 100% vegetarian because we use organic-approved microbial enzymes rather than rennet to help form the curds that turn into cheese.

The organic-approved enzymes we use in our cheeses are not genetically engineered. Microbial enzymes are a substitute for calf rennet and serve the function of curdling the milk during the cheese-making process.

Growing Years is organic whole milk with specially selected nutrition for growing kids. We partnered with pediatricians to identify key nutrients for ages 1 to 5, so every serving of Growing Years delivers DHA Omega-3, choline, prebiotics and high vitamin D. A serving also provides 8 grams of protein and an excellent source of calcium. Get more information here.

An 8-ounce glass of Growing Years milk has 50 mg DHA Omega-3, 55 mg choline and 1 g prebiotics.

At Horizon Organic, we use a sustainable, plant-based and vegetarian source of DHA Omega-3 in our products. Specifically, Horizon Organic sources DHA, called life'sDHA,™ from DSM Nutritional Products. Learn more about DHA here.

Absolutely! The pediatricians we partnered with are MDs with a focus on pediatrics and nutrition research, including one practitioner with 20 years of experience in the field of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Our partnering pediatricians have served on the boards for Committee of Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics and for the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, among others.

Right now, we are making it in half gallons only, but stay tuned!

Use our product locator to find Growing Years at a store near you.

Yes, it’s certified by Quality Assurance International (QAI).

Yes, it’s certified by Orthodox Union.

We make every effort to ensure that all Horizon Organic milk products are free of wheat, wheat gluten, rye, oats, barley and malt. While it is virtually impossible to be certain that each carton is 100% free of all gluten, our milk products are suitable for most people with wheat and gluten allergies. People with severe allergies should consult a doctor before introducing a new food.

No. Growing Years milk is made without carrageenan or any other thickeners.

Probiotics are “good bacteria” that are beneficial for the digestive system, or gut. A kind of fiber, prebiotics serve as food for the good bacteria in the gut.

We use prebiotics from chicory root fiber, also called inulin. Chicory root is a perennial plant in the dandelion family.

No.

Horizon Organic Milk with DHA Omega-3 single serve milk boxes have 32 mg of DHA per 8 oz container. They come in chocolate and vanilla and offer all the nutrition of milk, including 8 grams of protein, vitamins A and D, and calcium, with DHA omega-3 to support brain health. These milk boxes are also shelf-stable, making them ideal for lunch boxes and families (or anyone) looking for on-the-go nutrition.

DHA has been evaluated for more than 15 years in over 100 pre-clinical studies and in over 100 human clinical studies. In total, they create an impressive database that establishes the safety of DHA. A growing body of scientific research suggests that DHA helps support brain and eye health.

No, our milk is not a replacement for breastfeeding or infant formula and should not be used as infant formula. We recommend that you consult your health care provider when you are considering changing any aspect of a child’s diet.

Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids found mainly in fatty fish and vegetable oils. Many food products claim to have Omega-3s, but not all Omega-3s are created equal. Other vegetarian sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, flaxseed and vegetable oils, are actually sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), not DHA. DHA is one of the omega-3 fatty acids. The body can make DHA from ALA but the process is inefficient.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is a long-chain Omega-3 fatty acid that has been studied for its role in brain and eye health. Although it is found in most tissues throughout the body, the highest concentrations of DHA are in the brain, the nervous system and the retina of the eye.

Horizon Organic sources the DHA in these products, called life'sDHA,™ from DSM Nutritional Products. It is explicitly approved for use in organic foods from USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

Horizon Organic Milk with DHA Omega-3 products have the creamy and delicious taste all Horizon Organic milk is known for.

Yes. Pasteurization is the process of heating milk or cream to help eliminate harmful bacteria and to increase its shelf-life. Except for our milk boxes, all our products are ultra-pasteurized (UP). It’s a quick process—we bring the milk or cream to the appropriate temperature for several seconds, then plunge the temperature back down. For our shelf-stable milk boxes, we use a process called ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization. The milk is heated to a higher temperature for a few seconds and then put into special packaging, so it can be safely stored at room temperature until the expiration date. Pasteurization practices are standardized and regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Homogenized milk can still be organic. Homogenization is simply the process of breaking up and dispersing milkfat, which results in smooth, drinkable milk with a uniform texture. We homogenize our milk so that the butterfat, or cream, does not rest at the top of the milk. The process allows us to offer a variety of fat levels and does not impact the organic qualities of our milk.

We offer both pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized refrigerated milk. Milk labeled "pasteurized" will usually have a sell-by date of one to two weeks away. Milk labeled "ultra-pasteurized" has a longer shelf life, and will usually display a sell-by date of several weeks away. Aside from the fact that ultra-pasteurized milk has a longer shelf life, there is no detectable difference between pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized milk; the products taste identical to each other and have the same nutritional value. Horizon single serves are specially processed to allow them to stay fresh without refrigeration for many months. However, once opened, these products must be refrigerated and should be consumed within a week.

To preserve freshness, milk should be stored between 33˚F and 40˚F, which is typical for a household refrigerator. Milk will spoil more rapidly if unrefrigerated for even a short amount of time. Every hour that milk is above 40˚F will decrease its life by one day.

Freezing is not recommended for fluid milk, half-and-half or cream. Although freezing is unlikely to alter milk's nutrition, it will change its consistency. Milk that has been frozen and thawed in the refrigerator can be used in baking and cooking.

Single serve milk is packaged in individual aseptic containers and will keep at room temperature, unopened, until the date code. This extended shelf life is possible due to ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization. UHT pasteurization and special aseptic packaging keep single serve products fresh and safe without refrigeration. Once opened, the product must be refrigerated and can be expected to remain fresh up to seven days.

Yes. However, because most people are used to drinking refrigerated milk, Horizon single serves should be chilled and shaken before opening for maximum enjoyment. Besides being safe and nutritious, single serve containers are portable and convenient. They are ideal for sending in lunchboxes or toting to soccer practice or swimming lessons.

Removing the pull tab is optional. A pull tab was added to our single serve milk boxes so that you can enjoy the milk via a straw pressed into the opening on the top OR by removing the pull tab and drinking directly from the carton or pouring into a glass.

We make every effort to use packaging materials that are safe, responsibly sourced and recyclable. We’re actively working towards using only paperboard for our cartons that’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance. You can learn more at us.fsc.org. and rainforest-alliance.org.

Our half gallon cartons, gallon jugs and aseptic single serve containers are all widely recyclable. Please follow the How2Recycle^® instructions on the pack, and keep it out of the landfill. Find more details at how2recycle.info.

Since October 21, 2002, all organic food must be certified to a single, unified national standard by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA organic seal assures consumers of the quality and integrity of organic products. Organic-certified operations must have an organic system plan and records verifying compliance with that plan. These operations are subject to an annual inspection and spot checks to ensure they continue to meet strict standards.

Yes, we work with approximately 40 certified organic processing and handling operations to manufacture and package our products. Each one is audited at least annually during an onsite organic inspection conducted by USDA-accredited certifying agent representatives or independent inspectors. Additionally, they regularly review site-specific organic certifications, policies and procedures.

Horizon is now part of DanoneWave and our mission continues to bring health through food to as many people as possible. To learn more, please visit http://www.whitewave.com/find-out-more.

The company got its start in Boulder, Colorado, in 1991. Our headquarters is now located just a few miles from Boulder in Broomfield, Colorado. Horizon organic milk comes from nearly 600 certified organic family farms in approximately 23 states. Our family farmer partners supply 99% of our milk. Horizon also owns and operates a farm in Maryland that supplies 1% of our milk.

Horizon organic milk comes from nearly 600 certified organic family farms in 23 states. Our family farmer partners supply 99% of our milk. Horizon also owns and operates a farm in Maryland that supplies 1% of our milk.

The farms that provide our milk come in all shapes and sizes from every region of the country. But they all share the belief that organic milk makes sense for healthy families and a healthy planet. The average herd size of a Horizon partner farm is 90 cows. Learn more about Our Farms.

Each farm is required to demonstrate compliance with a site-specific organic system plan and National Organic Program standards. This is done via onsite monitoring, annual organic inspections by USDA-accredited certifying agent representatives or independent inspectors, and routine visits from Horizon field personnel. The same is true for our company-owned farm in Maryland.

All organic farms must be certified by an independent, third-party certifier to ensure stringent USDA organic standards are met. Organic certification includes annual inspections and spot checks. Our farmer partners may choose from USDA accredited certifiers. Quality Assurance International (QAI) certifies Horizon's company-owned farm. To learn more, visit Our Farms.

All Horizon cows graze on certified organic pasture. When they are not on pasture, they are fed only organic, vegetarian feed that has been produced without the use of genetically modified grains or the use of persistent herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers.

In compliance with USDA Organic Regulations, all Horizon cows must graze on pasture for at least four months of the year. The grazing season varies depending on geographic region. Cows are required to have year-round access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas and direct sunlight. Fresh air and exercise are considered vital to a cow's health even in the non-pasture season. Every farmer is responsible for creating and adhering to a pasture management plan that must be updated annually.

The use of antibiotics is strictly prohibited in organic dairy animals, including calves, at all stages of life. The first and best defense against illness is prevention. But when a calf or cow does become ill, we rely on natural and alternative methods as our preferred treatment. If a sick animal cannot be restored to full health with organic-approved treatments, we may administer antibiotics or other prescribed synthetic medicines to return a calf or cow to good health. However, when antibiotics or other prohibited materials are administered, the animal is no longer considered organic and is permanently removed from the herd. We always consider the well-being of our animals first and never allow an animal to suffer. The use of added growth hormones rBST and rBGH is strictly prohibited on Horizon farms. The use of these substances is not allowed in any organic dairy; however, no significant difference has been shown between milk from rBST-treated and non rBST-treated cows.

The first and best defense against illness is prevention. Quality pasture, high-forage diets, low-stress birthing, regular veterinary checkups, freedom of movement and clean living conditions all contribute to preventive health care. When a calf or cow does become ill, we rely on natural and alternative methods as our preferred treatment. The use of antibiotics is strictly prohibited. If a sick animal cannot be restored to full health with organic-approved treatments, we may administer antibiotics or other prescribed synthetic medicines. However, when antibiotics or other prohibited materials are administered, the animal is no longer considered organic and is permanently removed from the herd. We always consider the well-being of our animals first and never allow an animal to suffer.

No, cloned animals cannot be considered organic under National Organic Program regulations. Horizon does not allow cloned animals on its partner or company-owned farm.