The use of glyphosate has sparked significant controversy within the food industry. Some claim that this herbicide may lead to cancer in humans, but opinions among scientists were mixed 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 WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations stated that the chemical is unlikely to cause cancer from residues present in food. Nevertheless, lawsuits regarding the potential health risks associated with glyphosate continue to be filed in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court mandated that the herbicide be labeled as a potential cancer risk.
The ongoing debate surrounding glyphosate is why organizations such as OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project have taken the initiative to test food products for glyphosate residue. So far, no group has reported findings significant enough to raise health alarms, yet the results have incited calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s reaction to these test findings reveals much about its business philosophy. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not dispute the presence of glyphosate in the test results. Instead, the company expressed a desire to investigate the issue further.
This approach is strategic; by not contesting the report, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing OCA with material to bolster its boycott campaign. Rather, the brand positioned itself as a proactive partner in eliminating an ingredient that consumers may prefer to avoid. By addressing the concern head-on, the ice cream company could potentially emerge relatively unscathed from what could otherwise be perceived as a damaging report.
Despite Ben & Jerry’s attempt to mitigate potential fallout, it seems the brand might not have been significantly harmed by the test results in the first place. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action lawsuit claimed that the granola’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace amounts of glyphosate found in the products. However, a judge deemed the claim “simply not plausible.”
In light of these developments, it’s important for consumers to be aware of the ingredients in their food, such as equate calcium citrate d3 petites, and understand the ongoing discussions about food safety and agricultural practices. As the dialogue surrounding glyphosate continues, brands will need to navigate these challenges carefully to maintain consumer trust and ensure the integrity of their products.