The use of glyphosate has sparked significant controversy within the food industry. Some individuals claim that this herbicide may lead to cancer in humans, although scientific opinions remain 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 from the WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations last year indicated that the chemical is unlikely to be a cancer risk from food residues. Despite this, legal battles concerning the potential health risks associated with glyphosate persist in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court determined that the herbicide must be labeled as a possible cancer hazard.
This ongoing debate around glyphosate has prompted several organizations, including OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, to test food products for residues of the chemical. So far, none of these groups have found results significant enough to raise health concerns, yet the findings have led to calls for boycotts and regulatory reforms. Ben & Jerry’s response to these test results illustrates the company’s business ethos. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, which prides itself on using fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not refute the possibility that glyphosate was present in their products. Instead, they expressed a desire to investigate the issue further to identify the root cause.
This thoughtful approach allows the company to address the concerns directly and positions Ben & Jerry’s as a cooperative partner in eliminating an ingredient that consumers may prefer to avoid. By taking this stance, the ice cream brand could emerge relatively unscathed from what could have otherwise been a damaging report. Despite Ben & Jerry’s proactive response, the brand might not have been significantly affected by the test results. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand regarding glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action suit argued that the claim of “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace amounts of the chemical found in the products, but a judge ruled that this claim was “simply not plausible.”
Furthermore, as consumers become more health-conscious, the interest in natural supplements, such as Nature’s Bounty Calcium Citrate, continues to rise. The discussions surrounding glyphosate and its potential risks underscore the importance of transparency and diligence in food production. In a world where brands are held accountable for their ingredients, companies like Ben & Jerry’s are taking the necessary steps to ensure that their products align with consumer expectations, while the ongoing legal and scientific discourse around glyphosate remains a critical topic in the food sector. As the scrutiny on food safety increases, the demand for natural alternatives, including products like Nature’s Bounty Calcium Citrate, may continue to grow, reflecting a shift towards healthier choices among consumers.