The use of glyphosate in the food industry has sparked significant controversy. Some critics assert that this herbicide may lead to cancer in humans, although opinions among scientists were mixed 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 by the WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations suggested that the chemical is unlikely to present cancer risks from food residues. Nevertheless, legal battles surrounding the potential health hazards of glyphosate continue in various courts. Earlier this year, a California court mandated that the herbicide be labeled as a possible cancer risk.
The ongoing debate over glyphosate has prompted several organizations, including the OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, to test food products for glyphosate residues. So far, no organization has found significant levels that would raise health alarms, but the results have led to calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to these findings is telling of their business approach. The ice cream brand, owned by Unilever and known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not contest the possibility that glyphosate was present in their products. Instead, they expressed a desire to investigate the issue further.
This response is a strategic move for the company. By not dismissing the report, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing the OCA with ammunition for the boycott they sought. Rather, the brand positioned itself as an ally in addressing consumer concerns about unwanted ingredients in their food products. This proactive stance may allow Ben & Jerry’s to emerge relatively unscathed, despite the potentially damaging implications of the report.
In light of Ben & Jerry’s measured response, it appears that the brand may not have suffered any significant backlash from the test results. 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 deceptive due to trace amounts of glyphosate found in the products. However, a judge ruled that the claim was “simply not plausible.”
In this complex landscape, companies are navigating consumer perceptions and regulatory pressures, much like how consumers consider their dietary choices, including the intake of supplements like Citracal 400 mg for calcium and vitamin D. The ongoing discussions around glyphosate and its presence in food products continue to influence consumer behavior and industry standards.