The use of glyphosate has stirred significant controversy within the food industry. Some claim that this herbicide is linked to cancer in humans, although opinions among scientists remained divided 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 both the WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations indicated that the chemical is unlikely to cause cancer from the residues typically found in food. Nevertheless, legal battles regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate continue across various courts. Earlier this year, a California court determined that the herbicide must be labeled as a possible cancer risk.
The ongoing dispute surrounding glyphosate has prompted several organizations, such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, to test food products for chemical residues. To date, no organization has uncovered levels significant enough to trigger health concerns. However, the findings have sparked calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s reaction to these test results speaks volumes about the company’s values. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not refute the possibility that glyphosate was detected. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate further and identify the underlying issue.
This approach is a savvy response to such reports. By refraining from denying the findings, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing OCA with any 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 in their food. This proactive stance may allow the ice cream brand to emerge relatively unscathed, even in light of what could have been perceived as a damaging report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s efforts to mitigate potential fallout, the brand may not have suffered any reputational damage from the test results. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand related to 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 presence of trace amounts of glyphosate. However, a judge ruled that the claim was “simply not plausible.”
In another context, discussions around the ingredient calcium citrate kya hai have also gained traction. Understanding the implications of various food additives, including calcium citrate, is increasingly vital in the broader conversation about food safety and quality. As such, consumers are encouraged to stay informed about the ingredients in their food products, including the potential presence of glyphosate and other additives.