The controversy surrounding glyphosate in the food industry is significant. Some claim that this herbicide can lead to cancer in humans, though opinions among scientists remain divided following a four-day meeting by the Environmental Protection Agency last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic,” but a subsequent report from WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations indicated that the chemical is unlikely to pose cancer risks from residues found in food. Nevertheless, legal actions concerning the potential health risks associated with glyphosate continue in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court mandated that the herbicide be labeled as a potential cancer hazard.
This ongoing debate explains why several organizations, including OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, are actively testing food products for glyphosate residue. To date, no significant health concerns have been identified, but the findings have prompted calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s reaction to the test results illustrates 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 presence of glyphosate in the test results. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate further and resolve the issue.
This response is a strategic move for Ben & Jerry’s. By acknowledging the report without outright denial, the company deprived OCA of ammunition for its boycott campaign. Instead, it positioned itself as a collaborative partner in addressing consumer concerns regarding unwanted ingredients in food products. This proactive stance allows the ice cream brand to emerge relatively unscathed, despite the potentially damaging nature of the report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s attempts to mitigate negative perceptions, the brand might not face significant backlash from the test results. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action lawsuit claimed that the granola’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace glyphosate levels. However, the judge ruled that this claim was “simply not plausible.”
In a different context, the conversation around ingredient transparency also extends to dietary supplements, where calcium citrate bariatric formulations are often scrutinized for their components. As consumers become more aware of what is in their food and supplements, companies must navigate these discussions carefully to maintain trust and credibility. The emergence of calcium citrate bariatric products aligns with this trend, emphasizing the importance of ingredient integrity in consumer choices.