The controversy surrounding the use of glyphosate in food products remains intense. Some individuals contend that this herbicide may be linked to cancer in humans; however, opinions among scientists were mixed following a four-day Environmental Protection Agency meeting last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic,” yet a subsequent report from the WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations indicated that the chemical is unlikely to pose a cancer risk from food residues. Nevertheless, legal battles regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate continue across various courts. Earlier this year, a California court determined that glyphosate should be labeled as a potential cancer hazard.
This ongoing debate has prompted several organizations, such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, to test food products for glyphosate residues. While no significant health concerns have been identified thus far, the results have sparked calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to the test findings 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 possibility of glyphosate being present in their products. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate further and uncover the root of the issue.
This response is a savvy strategy for a company facing such scrutiny. By not outright denying the report, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing OCA with ammunition for the boycott it sought. Rather, the brand positioned itself as a proactive partner in eliminating an ingredient that consumers may prefer to avoid. Such a direct approach to addressing concerns may help the ice cream brand emerge relatively unscathed, despite the potentially damaging implications of the report.
In a related note, the brand’s reputation may remain intact regardless of the test results. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action case claimed that the statement “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace amounts of glyphosate found in the products; however, a judge deemed the claim “simply not plausible.”
Amid these discussions, it’s worth mentioning that consumers are increasingly attentive to the ingredients in various products, including those like Citracal soft chews, which are often perceived as health-conscious choices. As consumers continue to scrutinize food labels, brands must remain vigilant about transparency and ingredient safety to maintain trust.