Product FAQ
+ What is grass fed milk?
Grass fed milk comes from dairy cows that eat grass and dried forages, just like nature intended. And as it turns out, new science shows that what nature intended is more nutritious.
+ Why is grass fed milk better for you?
Dairy cows that are fed mainly a diet of grass will produce milk that is naturally higher in omega-3 and CLAs, giving you more of the healthy fats that your body needs. This research was performed by PMC in 2019. Find out more.
+ What is A2 protein?
A2 is a type of protein that exists in cow’s milk that is sourced from specific cow breeds. At Zeal Creamery, our herds are primarily Jersey which are known to be high in A2 protein. Human breast, goat, sheep, and water buffalo milks all contain only A2-like proteins, and thousands of years ago, cow’s milk also had only A2 proteins. Historians believe that the A1 mutation originated in Europe somewhere around 8,000 years ago, but why it occurred is open to speculation. Some cows produce only A1, some only A2 and some both proteins. In regular milk production, all the cow’s milks are typically blended together so you get a mix of proteins in the carton. To get only A2 protein milk, a complete genetic testing is done to determine which cows make only the A2 protein variation.
+ What does ‘free range’ mean?
Unlike any of our competitors, our dairy cows are never in barns. Never ever. Zeal dairy cows are allotted one-acre on average per animal, per year to graze over, giving them space to roam freely, 365 days a year.
+ Are you non-GMO (genetically modified organism)?
Zeal grass fed milks are non-GMO. We use no GMO based corn or soy of supplementary forages.
+ Is Zeal milk certified organic?
Zeal is not certified organic currently, but our standards are actually more stringent in most ways. Like organic, we are non-GMO, and our fields don’t use pesticides. While organic milk requires a minimum of 120 days spent grazing per year, our cows get to enjoy the outdoors 365 days a year. Organic guidelines don’t require cows to be 100% grass fed, but we believe that’s the best natural diet for our cows, and our delicious milk is proof!
+ Is your milk ultra pasteurized?
No, we do not ultra pasteurize our milks. We use a process called High Temperature Short Time (HTST) which we believe keeps the milk as close to natural as possible!
+ Can I drink Zeal milk if I am lactose intolerant?
We have a lactose-free option for you, the Zeal Creamery Lactose Free Milk.
+ Why is the color of the milk not as white as other milks?
The cow’s natural diet of pasture grass is what causes our milk to have a slightly golden hue. This occurs naturally with pasture grazed milk.
+ Is our milk homogenized?
Yes - we do homogenize our milks, and it makes delicious homemade cheese and yogurt!
+ Once opened, how long will the milk stay fresh?
Freshest tasting within 7 days after opening, and it must be kept refrigerated.
+ Is Zeal milk fortified with vitamins?
Our milk is not fortified with vitamins.
+ Are Zeal products gluten-free?
Yes, we are gluten-free.
+ What are CLAs?
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring trans fatty acid made from omega-6 essential fatty acids found in cows, goats, and sheep. Unlike industrial trans fatty acids, CLA may be of great potential benefit to human health.
+ Is there caffeine in your Chocolate Milk?
No.
+ What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is made in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush.
+ Can Chocolate Whole Milk be consumed by everyone?
Because our chocolate milk contains Manuka honey, we do not recommend you give to infants under age one.
+ Why does Zeal milk come in a plastic bottle?
Plastic is lighter to transport than glass, which helps to reduce our carbon footprint. Retailers (and consumers) generally prefer plastic as it’s easier to handle and won’t break like glass. Our bottles are 100% recyclable and BPA free.
+ Where can I buy Zeal milk?
Check out our store locator. We are rapidly adding new locations, so check back soon if it’s not in your area.
Cow & Farm FAQ
+ What does single farm mean?
Most milk comes from cooperatives that collect milk from multiple farms and comingle them in large tanks for production, preventing any traceability back to the single farm. All of our milks are sourced from a single farm, and we can trace each bottle back to the pastures from which they came.
+ What breeds/kinds of cows live on your farms?
Our herd is mainly Jersey bred cows.
+ Are your cows given artificial hormones?
No, we never use any added hormones.
+ What does grass fed mean?
Grass fed means that our cows are not fed any special diet, and they get to roam the pastures and eat as much natural grass as they want.
+ What do Zeal cows eat in the winter when the pastures are dormant?
Our farms, located near Monett, MO, where average temperatures rarely go below 40F, allow our cows to graze on green grass and forages 365 days a year. If we have a cold winter, the dairy cows will eat grass that has been harvested during the summer.
+ What are your animal welfare practices?
Zeal milk is certified by AGW (A Greener World) as Animal Welfare Approved. This third-party certification guarantees animals are raised outdoors for their entire lives using sustainable farming practices. Regular audits ensure that we maintain our high standards for animal welfare.
Process & Traceability FAQ
+ Are there any allergens in your manufacturing facility?
No.
+ What systems do you use to ensure traceability?
We use proprietary track & trace systems that link the finished milk bottles, right the way back to the herd. Zeal Creamery Milks are produced at a single dairy farm in Monett, MO. We know our farms, farmers and our milk.
