Are Herbicides with Glyphosate Threatening the Food Supply?

Glyphosate herbicides like Monsanto’s Roundup are extensively used in both industrial agriculture and in consumer households. The widespread adoption of these chemicals and other agriculture pesticides is raising alarm about health hazards in our food supply and glyphosate’s links to cancer and other diseases.

Understanding Herbicides with Glyphosate Like Roundup

Since its introduction in the 1970s, glyphosate herbicide has become one of the most commonly used herbicides worldwide. This extensive use has raised questions about glyphosate residue in food and the possible health risks associated with long-term exposure.

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Herbicides with Glyphosate: Health Concerns and Cancer Risk 

In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” based on a review of scientific studies. Recent studies have cemented the link between glyphosate and cancer. A 2023 University of California study found associations between childhood exposure to glyphosate and increased risks of cancers, liver disease, metabolic disorders, and other health problems later in life. A 2024 study also found increased risks of cancer among those exposed to glyphosate, including:

• Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
• Colon, bladder, pancreatic, and lung cancer.

California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has listed glyphosate herbicide as a chemical known to cause cancer, based on the IARC’s classification. And some cities throughout the U.S. have moved to ban herbicides with glyphosate from use on public lands.

Bayer and its Monsanto subsidiary have pledged to remove glyphosate herbicide from Roundup, but an environmental watchdog group found that not only do some products still contain the hazardous chemical, but they also contain chemicals that may be much worse.

Minimizing Exposure to Glyphosate Herbicide

For consumers concerned about glyphosate residues in food, certain measures may help reduce the potential for glyphosate poisoning:​

• Choose Organic and Non-GMO Produce: Organic farming restricts the use of synthetic herbicides, including glyphosate. Because many GMO crops are specifically modified to make them immune to glyphosate, avoiding GMO produce can lower your potential exposure.
• Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Thoroughly rinsing produce for at least 15 seconds under running water can help remove some surface residues including glyphosate herbicide. Scrubbing produce with a clean brush may also help.
• Diversify Your Diet: Consuming a variety of foods can minimize the risk of glyphosate poisoning and repeated exposure to contaminants present in specific items.
• Support Farmers Who Use Restorative Practices: When farmers use no-till, chemical-free farming methods, they don’t need to use herbicides or other toxic chemicals to manage their crops. These crops may be harder to find, depending on where you live, but local farmers markets and fruit and vegetable sellers may be a good resource.

How We Help Roundup Cancer Victims

If you’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after repeated exposure to Roundup weedkiller, you may be entitled to compensation. Our national law firm has spent decades taking on Monsanto and other chemical companies, holding them accountable for dangerous products that harm consumers. Contact our experienced Roundup attorneys to find out if you have a case.