While most food manufacturers would not willingly list Roundup as an ingredient in their packaged food products, reports from federal dietary data shows reports of glyphosate-contaminated food ingredients. Knowing this, some would argue that Roundup is in food, although it is under the allotted maximum allowed by the federal government, according to the Environmental Working Group.
According to the same report, glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, was found in a number of popular name brand household foods containing oats. In fact, the Environmental Working Group says “Glyphosate was found on most samples of oat-based foods. However, neither state nor local government officials have done anything to protect consumers from knowingly eating these contaminated food products.”
About Roundup for Food Crops
Although glyphosate was introduced to the agricultural market as early as 1974 as the herbicide Roundup, former parent company Monsanto and their products with glyphosate did not flourish until 1996, according to the New York Times. That was when the company released genetically modified seeds that were designed with special resistance to the plant-killing powers of Roundup. Rather than meticulously pulling and inspecting large food crops for unwanted weedy plants, farmers could then cover their food crops with massive amounts of Roundup, ensuring that the weeds would be gone, but the food crops would thrive.
Roundup provided resources that farmers desperately needed, so heavy reliance on Roundup in the agricultural industry is easy to understand. However, what many farmers did not know until recent years was that glyphosate was reported to have carcinogenic properties as early as 1981, but that report was quickly redacted by the Environmental Protection Agency at Monsanto’s request. That is just one reason American farmers continue to use millions of gallons of Roundup on food crops today. A report by the Counter says the United States Geological Survey found that around 287 million pounds of glyphosate was sprayed on crops in 2016. Knowing this, we do not necessarily need to be asking, “Is Roundup in food?” but, “How much Roundup is in food?”
Scientists Investigate Cancer Link
When 17 international cancer scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) gathered to analyze findings of a 2015 study on herbicides, they discussed the “limited” evidence of cancer from real-world patients exposed to glyphosate, and the “sufficient” evidence of cancer in lab animals tested with glyphosate. Reportedly looking at over 1000 studies of people with cancer, these scientists evaluated the likelihood of Roundup as the cause of the cancer in each individual. Some of the public opinion about Roundup changed when scientists announced that glyphosate and Roundup were “likely” carcinogenic.
Researchers from the IARC released reports on the nuances of their findings, which go against the official statements released by the federal government. However, glyphosate was not the only chemical investigated for a potential link to cancer. The IARC found similar links to cancer in other agricultural chemicals, such as insecticides malathion, diazinon, tetrachlorvinphos, and parathion, which all at least had a Group 2 rating for potential links to cancer. The Group 2 link includes a “possible” and “probable” link to causing cancer. All of the chemicals mentioned above are industry standard for large-scale agricultural farmers, who supply the raw ingredients for some of the top-selling food products in the United States.
Glyphosate and Public Opinion
While some large-scale farmers are skeptical of the reports from the IARC, and continue to use glyphosate and other scrutinized chemicals, others are seeking compensation for their cancer treatment from Roundup. Manufacturers like General Mills, Quaker Oats, and more reference the regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency in defense of suspected Roundup-caused cancer, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Still, families and individuals across the United States continue to buy and eat oat products that may have Roundup in them. Meanwhile, some farmers who are facing the difficult battle against cancer are seeking compensation from the current parent company of Roundup, Bayer. Currently, there are at least 125,000 lawsuits against Bayer for the cancer-causing properties of Roundup, according to Bloomberg. Bayer plans to settle the majority of these lawsuits with a budget of $10 billion dollars.
The future sales of herbicides like Roundup may not be clear, but the impending rise in lawsuits says plenty: People feel betrayed by the potential dangers of Roundup for their long-term health. When companies prioritize profit over people, consumers can hold them accountable with the help of a lawyer and class action lawsuits.
Is Roundup In Food? Contact Our Legal Team Today
If you or a loved one was exposed to Roundup against your knowledge, you may be able to work with a lawyer to protect your rights. All consumers and producers should know about the potential risks of working with or consuming Roundup and hold big pharmaceutical and chemical companies like Bayer accountable for the damages.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free case evaluation.