Roundup is a herbicide. Its active ingredient is Glyphosate, which is a weed killer. It turns out that it’s lethal to humans as well. A California jury awarded a couple that sued Monsanto (Roundup’s parent company) two billion dollars in May of 2019 for a link to cancer. The company was forced to create a fund of 11 billion for future lawsuit settlements, and victims have continued to be awarded each year.
Glyphosate has been linked to causing cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as stated in this 2019 University of Washington study in Science Direct Journal.
Roundup has not been subject to any widespread product recall, and for the time being, remains on store shelves nationwide. In July 2021, Bayer pharmaceuticals (who purchased Monsanto in 2018) announced that it will remove glyphosate-based Roundup from the consumer market in 2023. Although, the EPA (environmental protection agency) still permits Roundup to be used in our nation’s commercial agriculture.
In a 2018 Fortune magazine article, it was reported that The Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C. advocacy group, that assesses chemicals in consumer products, tested popular oat-based products like Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Kind Bars, Nature Valley bars, and others. It found that they tested positive for Glyphosate.
Yep, you read that correctly, you and your children are ingesting herbicidal poison!
We now have learned that all GMO products, most grains, fruits (including grapes), corn, and soy crops, are tainted with this carcinogen. In 2017 Investigators from the Organic Consumers Association found glyphosate in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, reports The Daily Meal.
What else is made from grains and grapes you might ask? You guessed it, alcohol.
The UK’s Independent newspaper published that “A new study has shown that traces of a commonly-used and possibly cancerous weed killer can be found in the majority of wine and beer. Researches tested five wines and 15 beers from the US, Asia, and Europe for traces of pesticide glyphosate and they confirmed they were contaminated.”
Here’s our suggestions for avoiding herbicidal poison in your foods:
Choose certified organic foods and drinks. Look for the labels: USDA Organic and NON GMO Project Verified.
Eat from locally grown whole food brands. These are farmers and ranchers that you can ask about their processes and what fertilizers and sprays they use on their products. Get to know the best in your state.
Buy from your local farmers’ markets. This way you get to know the farmers personally and can discuss which chemicals they might be using.
Grow your own food. This can be daunting at first, but there are great books and websites that will provide the best tips. Also, you can ask your local plant provider which types of vegetables would be best to start cultivating and learn about timing these for the seasons.
Finally, cook more at home with the healthy ingredients chosen above. Eating out at restaurants will leave you in the dark about their sourcing of products, and guarantee consumption of unhealthy seed oils.
