What are the nutritional differences between organic milk and regular milk?
Organic and regular milk are nutritionally very similar. A Newcastle University review of more than 250 studies found organic milk has about 50% more omega-3 fatty acids, while conventional milk has about 74% more iodine. Neither difference is large enough to make one clearly healthier, and both are normally sold pasteurized.
Free download
Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF): How long milk, plant milks, cream, yogurt and kefir last, opened and unopened. 23 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
Is organic milk more nutritious than regular milk?
Only slightly in a few nutrients. A review led by Newcastle University of more than 250 studies concluded that organic and conventional milk are nutritionally pretty similar. The differences it reported were:
| Nutrient | Organic milk | Conventional milk |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 fatty acids | About 50% more | Less |
| Iodine | Less | About 74% more |
Do the differences matter?
- Omega-3: even organic milk is a weak source. Reports on the review say you would need to drink several gallons a day to match the omega-3 in oily fish eaten a couple of times a week.
- Iodine: milk is a useful iodine source in many diets, so choosing organic may slightly lower your intake if you rely on milk for it. Whether that matters depends on the rest of your diet.
- Protein, calcium and fat: the main nutrients are about the same. Fat level (whole, semi-skimmed, skimmed) changes nutrition far more than organic or not.
What does organic mean on the label?
It describes how the cows are farmed and fed under a certification scheme, not a different product. Rules vary by country, so look for the certifier on the pack. In the US, look for the USDA Organic seal. Both kinds are normally sold pasteurized.
How to choose
- Pick the fat level that suits your diet first.
- Choose organic if you prefer its farming standards or the taste; expect a higher price.
- Check the use-by date; some milk is ultra-pasteurized and lasts longer unopened.
- If you are on a dairy-free diet, neither type applies; see plant milks instead.
People also ask
Does organic milk have more omega-3?
Yes, about 50% more according to a Newcastle University review, but milk is still a weak omega-3 source.
Does organic milk have less iodine?
The same review found conventional milk had about 74% more iodine than organic milk.
Is organic milk safer?
Both are normally sold pasteurized. The difference is farming method, and the review did not frame it as a safety difference.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
