The controversy surrounding glyphosate in the food industry remains a heated issue. While some claim that the herbicide is linked to cancer in humans, scientific opinions have been divided following a four-day meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” However, a subsequent report from the WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations last year suggested that the chemical is unlikely to pose cancer risks from residues typically found in food. Nevertheless, lawsuits regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate are still ongoing in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court ruled that the herbicide must be labeled as a potential cancer risk.
This ongoing debate has prompted organizations such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project to test food products for glyphosate residues. To date, no organization has reported significant findings that raise health alarms, yet the results have sparked calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to the testing outcomes 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 contest the possibility that glyphosate was present in the tested products. Instead, the brand expressed a desire to investigate the issue further and identify the source of the problem.
This strategic response allows Ben & Jerry’s to avoid providing OCA with ammunition for its boycott campaign. By positioning itself as a proactive partner in eliminating an ingredient that consumers may be wary of, the ice cream brand has effectively mitigated potential damage, despite what could be perceived as a negative report.
Furthermore, despite Ben & Jerry’s attempts to navigate this situation, the brand’s reputation may not have been compromised by the test results. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action lawsuit, which claimed that the granola’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace amounts of glyphosate, was rejected by a judge who deemed the claim “simply not plausible.”
In the context of food safety, discussions about ingredients like calcium citrate 950 mg OTC are also gaining traction. This compound is often included in dietary supplements and food products, and its safety is part of the broader dialogue on food additives alongside concerns about glyphosate. As the food industry continues to grapple with these issues, the implications for consumers and brands alike remain significant.