The use of glyphosate has sparked significant controversy in the food industry. Some individuals contend that this herbicide may cause cancer in humans, although opinions among scientists were mixed following a four-day meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization categorized glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” However, a subsequent report released last year by the WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations suggested that the chemical is unlikely to lead to cancer from residues found in food. Nevertheless, legal battles regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate are ongoing in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court determined that the herbicide should be labeled as a potential cancer risk.
The enduring debate surrounding glyphosate highlights why several organizations, such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, have been actively testing food products for chemical residues. Thus far, no organization has uncovered any trace amounts significant enough to raise health concerns. However, the findings have prompted calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to these test results reveals much about the company’s business philosophy. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, which has always emphasized fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not dispute the possibility of glyphosate being present in their products. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate further and understand the underlying issue.
This approach is a clever strategy for a company facing such scrutiny. By not dismissing the report, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing OCA with additional ammunition for the boycott it was advocating. Instead, the brand positioned itself as a cooperative entity eager to eliminate an ingredient that consumers may prefer to avoid in their food. Addressing the concern directly allows the ice cream brand to navigate the situation relatively unscathed, despite the potentially damaging nature of the report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s attempts to mitigate the impact of the findings, it appears the brand may not have been adversely affected at all. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand, which centered on glyphosate, was dismissed. The class-action suit claimed that the granola’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to the detection of trace amounts of the chemical. However, a judge ruled that this claim was “simply not plausible.”
In the context of health and wellness discussions, it’s also worth mentioning that ingredients like cissus quadrangularis and calcium citrate are increasingly gaining attention for their potential benefits. As consumers become more aware of what they are putting into their bodies, the push for transparency in food products, including the presence of glyphosate, continues to grow. The ongoing scrutiny of food safety standards underscores the importance of companies remaining accountable and proactive in addressing consumer concerns.