The use of glyphosate has generated significant controversy in the food industry. Some individuals contend that this herbicide may lead to cancer in humans, although scientists remain divided on the matter following a four-day meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency last year. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic,” yet a subsequent report released last year by WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations concluded that the chemical is unlikely to cause cancer from food residues. Despite this, legal battles regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate are ongoing in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court mandated that the herbicide should be labeled as a possible cancer threat.
The prolonged debate surrounding glyphosate has prompted several organizations, including OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, to test food products for chemical residues. Up to now, no organization has detected anything significant enough to raise health concerns, but the findings have sparked calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to these test results highlights the company’s commitment to transparency and quality. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its emphasis on fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not refute the possibility of glyphosate being present in the tests. Instead, they expressed a desire to investigate the root of the problem further.
This approach is a savvy way for a company to handle such reports. By not dismissing the findings outright, Ben & Jerry’s avoided giving OCA additional ammunition for its proposed boycott. Instead, the brand positioned itself as a proactive partner in eliminating any unwanted ingredients from its products, which could allow the ice cream company to emerge relatively unscathed from what could have been a damaging report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s strategic response, the brand might not have suffered any negative impact from the test results regardless. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand over glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action suit claimed that the granola’s label, stating it was “Made with 100% Natural Oats,” was misleading due to the detection of trace amounts of the chemical. However, a judge ruled that the claim was “simply not plausible,” reinforcing the idea that such concerns may not hold substantial weight in the legal arena.
As companies navigate these complexities, it is essential for them to consider their ingredient choices carefully. For instance, the inclusion of supplements such as calcium citrate with vitamin D3, magnesium, and zinc tablets can enhance the nutritional profile of food products, providing consumers with added health benefits and potentially alleviating concerns about harmful substances. Balancing quality ingredients with consumer safety remains a critical focus for brands in today’s market.