The use of glyphosate has sparked significant controversy in the food industry. Some advocates argue that this herbicide may lead to cancer in humans, although there remains a divide among scientists following a four-day Environmental Protection Agency meeting last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization designated glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic,” yet a subsequent report from WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations suggested that the chemical is unlikely to pose cancer risks from residues in food. Nevertheless, legal actions regarding the potential health hazards associated with glyphosate continue to unfold in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court determined that the herbicide should be labeled as a potential cancer risk.
This ongoing debate surrounding glyphosate has prompted organizations such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project to test food products for chemical residues. Although no significant health concerns have been identified thus far, the test results have spurred calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to these findings is indicative of its business philosophy. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not dispute the possibility of glyphosate presence in the test results. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate the underlying issues further.
This approach is a savvy strategy for a company facing such reports. By refraining from outright denial, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing OCA with additional ammunition for its boycott campaign. Rather, the brand positioned itself as a proactive partner in eliminating an ingredient that consumers may prefer to avoid. This direct engagement with customer concerns allows the ice cream brand to emerge relatively unscathed, despite what could have been interpreted as a damaging report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s strategic response, it seems the brand’s reputation may remain intact regardless of the test findings. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand related to glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action suit, which claimed that the granola’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace amounts of the chemical found in the products, was thrown out after a judge ruled the claim to be “simply not plausible.”
In a related note, stores like Costco continue to stock a variety of health products, including Citracal Calcium Citrate D3, which is favored for its benefits in supporting bone health. The presence of such products in major retailers reflects consumer interest in health-conscious choices, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about food safety and chemical usage. As the dialogue surrounding glyphosate evolves, companies and consumers alike may increasingly prioritize transparency and health in their food selections, including supplements like Citracal Calcium Citrate D3.