Several weeks ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found glyphosate in a variety of products, including Cheerios and Quaker Oat bars. The weed-killing chemical, aka Roundup, was the center of a $289 million lawsuit that Monsanto recently lost when a jury determined that the ag giant knew their product could potentially lead to cancer. So now that the verdict’s out, how worried should you be about the EWG’s findings?
According to Business Insider, that’s up to you, the consumer. Say what? Yes, after a lengthy article weighing the pros and cons of the EWG’s report and the possibilities of whether the report will be proven true — or not — in the future, Business Insider says that since “the majority of research is still to come, it’s up to consumers to decide whether their breakfast foods are safe to eat.”
It’s laudable that this prestigious business publication managed to produce a somewhat balanced presentation on the topic, but at the same time, it’s disappointing that they didn’t delve a little deeper into the evidence presented at the Monsanto trial. Dubbed “The Monsanto Papers,” this evidence, which a documentary by the same name focuses on, reveals the secret tactics used by global chemical giant Monsanto (now Bayer AG) used to protect sales of Roundup.
The film starts out with a quick history of Roundup and how its now-clearly absurd safety claims (such as "it's biodegradable," "safe enough to drink," and "safer than table salt") made it into the world’s most widely used weed killer, used by farmers and private gardeners alike.
But, as the Monsanto trial jurors learned, in reality Roundup is far from harmless — and the evidence shows that Monsanto has known this all along. The evidence presented to the jury, including email correspondence and corporate documents, create a comprehensive narrative of corporate malfeasance and collusion with U.S. regulatory agencies, and it was this evidence that ultimately led to the jury’s decision against the ag giant.
You can review many of these Monsanto Papers on the U.S. Right to Know website. But in the meantime, since it looks like major media won’t take a stand on this, it truly is up to you whether you want breakfast with a dose of Roundup. So, in deciding, I ask you to consider the facts, which are: EWG found that 43 of 45 food products made with conventionally grown oats tested positive for glyphosate.
Thirty-one of these products had glyphosate levels higher than EWG scientists believe would be protective of children’s health. And, if you think organic oat foods are any better, think again: Of 16 organic oat foods tested, five contained glyphosate. The bottom line is you absolutely must read labels before you buy, and then choose only foods that come from organic, nongenetically modified plants.
Also, if you’re concerned about glyphosate residues in your food, you can help to prompt change by reaching out to the companies that make your food. Let them know that you prefer foods without glyphosate residues — and are prepared to switch brands if necessary to find them.