The use of glyphosate has sparked considerable controversy within the food industry. Some critics claim that this herbicide may lead to 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,” but a subsequent report released last year by WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations suggested that the chemical is unlikely to cause cancer from the residues typically found in food. Nevertheless, legal battles concerning the potential health risks associated with glyphosate are still ongoing in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court determined that the herbicide should be labeled as a potential cancer risk.
This prolonged debate over glyphosate explains why several organizations, such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, have been conducting tests on food products for glyphosate residues. To date, no group has reported any significant findings that would raise health concerns; however, the results have spurred demands for boycotts and regulatory changes. The response from Ben & Jerry’s regarding these test results highlights the company’s approach to business. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not dispute the possibility that glyphosate was detected in their products. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate further and identify the underlying issue.
This strategy is a clever way for a company to react to such reports. By not rejecting the findings, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing OCA with ammunition for its boycott campaign. Rather, the brand positioned itself as a cooperative ally in eliminating an ingredient that consumers might prefer to avoid in their food products. By addressing the concern head-on, the ice cream brand could emerge relatively unscathed from what could otherwise have been perceived as a damaging report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s efforts to manage its image, the brand may not have suffered any lasting damage from the test result. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action lawsuit claimed that Nature Valley’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to the presence of trace amounts of the chemical. However, a judge ruled that the claim was simply “not plausible.”
In the context of food safety, discussions around ingredients like calcium citrate, commonly found in products such as Kirkland brand goods, have also gained traction. While glyphosate remains a contentious topic, the conversation around other additives, including calcium citrate, is equally important, as consumers become more vigilant about what they put into their bodies. As the food industry continues to evolve, brands must remain responsive to consumer concerns about all ingredients, including calcium citrate and glyphosate, ensuring transparency and safety in their offerings.