The controversy surrounding glyphosate in the food industry has been significant. While some experts contend that this herbicide may lead to cancer in humans, opinions among scientists were mixed following a four-day meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization labeled glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” However, a subsequent report from WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations last year suggested that the chemical is unlikely to cause cancer from the residues typically found in food. Despite this, ongoing litigation regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate persists in various courts. Earlier this year, a court in California determined that the herbicide should be labeled as a possible cancer risk.
This prolonged debate is why several organizations, including OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, have been actively testing food products for glyphosate residues. Although none of these groups have detected any levels of the chemical significant enough to raise health alarms, the findings have sparked calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. The way Ben & Jerry’s addressed the testing results reflects the company’s business ethos. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not dispute the findings that may indicate glyphosate presence. Instead, Ben & Jerry’s expressed a desire to investigate further to uncover the underlying issue.
This is a prudent response from the company. 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 might prefer to avoid. This approach to addressing concerns directly could help the ice cream brand emerge relatively unscathed, despite the potentially damaging implications of the report.
In fact, the test results might not have adversely affected Ben & Jerry’s reputation at all. Just this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning 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 discovery of trace amounts of glyphosate. However, a judge ruled that the claim was “simply not plausible,” highlighting the complexities surrounding such legal challenges.
In a related context, consumers dealing with issues like Citracal constipation may find themselves increasingly concerned about the ingredients in their food products, including herbicides like glyphosate. As the discourse around food safety continues, it is crucial for brands to be transparent and responsive to consumer concerns regarding potential health risks.