Are You Consuming Weed Killer?

You probably don’t think much about weed killer when you sit down for breakfast, but it’s possible that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has made its way into your morning routine. This widely used herbicide isn’t just applied to fields and farms—it’s also finding its way into common foods like fruit juice, bread, grains, and even honey.

So what exactly is glyphosate, why is it in our food, and what can we do? This article will explore the growing concerns around glyphosate, its potential health risks, and steps you can take to reduce your exposure.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is an herbicide developed by Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, and is the active ingredient in their product Roundup. Farmers use glyphosate to control weeds, particularly in genetically modified crops like soy, corn, and wheat. It’s applied to crops to kill unwanted plants, but this chemical can linger in the soil and the crops themselves, leading to residues in our food supply.^[1]

Despite being designed for use on crops, glyphosate residues have been detected in various everyday food items. Research has found traces in fruit juices, cereals, bread, pasta, and honey. With widespread glyphosate, it’s hard to avoid consuming it altogether.

Health Concerns Linked to Glyphosate Exposure

One of the biggest concerns surrounding glyphosate is its potential link to cancer. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen," raising serious alarm bells for many researchers and health advocates.^[2] Multiple studies have suggested that long-term exposure to glyphosate can increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the immune system.^[3]

Cancer is not the only risk associated with glyphosate. Other health issues potentially linked to glyphosate exposure include:

• Hormonal Disruption: Glyphosate may interfere with hormone regulation, particularly affecting thyroid and reproductive hormones. This disruption can lead to developmental problems, reproductive issues, and metabolic disorders.^[4]
• Neurological Damage: Some studies suggest glyphosate could contribute to neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s by crossing the blood-brain barrier and impacting brain function.^[5]
• Gut Health Issues: Glyphosate may also negatively impact gut bacteria, acting similarly to an antibiotic that kills beneficial microorganisms in the digestive system. This disruption can lead to digestive disorders, weakened immune function, and chronic inflammation.^[6]

The Environmental Impact of Glyphosate

In addition to its risks to human health, glyphosate is wreaking havoc on the environment. Bees, critical for pollinating our crops, are particularly vulnerable to glyphosate exposure. Studies show that glyphosate damages the gut microbiome of bees, making them more susceptible to diseases. With global bee populations already in decline, this is a serious issue for the agricultural sector and food supply.

Glyphosate’s environmental damage doesn’t stop there. Its use depletes soil quality, reducing biodiversity in ecosystems and harming wildlife. Glyphosate can also contaminate water supplies through agricultural runoff, spreading its harmful effects.

Why Is Glyphosate Still So Widely Used?

Given the growing body of evidence linking glyphosate to health and environmental concerns, you might wonder why it’s still widely used. Unfortunately, big agricultural companies like Bayer (which acquired Monsanto) continue to defend glyphosate’s safety. Although Bayer has faced numerous lawsuits from individuals claiming that glyphosate exposure caused their cancer, the company has paid billions in settlements while continuing to sell Roundup.

The widespread use of glyphosate doesn’t end overnight, but that doesn’t mean you can do nothing to protect yourself.

How to Reduce Your Glyphosate Exposure

While it’s nearly impossible to avoid glyphosate entirely, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure:

1. Choose Organic Foods: Organic farming prohibits synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. Switching to organic fruits, vegetables, and grains will significantly reduce your risk of consuming glyphosate residues. Focus on high-risk crops like wheat, corn, and soy when switching to organic.
2. Support Glyphosate-Free Brands: Some food companies are committed to producing glyphosate-free products. Look for brands that advertise their foods as free from glyphosate residues or have been certified by organizations like the Detox Project, which tests products for glyphosate contamination.
3. Install a Water Filter: Glyphosate can enter water supplies through runoff from agricultural fields. Using a high-quality water filtration system designed to remove harmful chemicals like glyphosate will help reduce your overall exposure.
4. Stay Informed and Advocate: If you’re concerned about the use of glyphosate in farming, consider supporting advocacy groups that are working to limit its use or ban it altogether. Raising awareness and supporting legislative changes can reduce glyphosate’s presence in our food and environment.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Health

Glyphosate’s pervasiveness in our food system is a serious issue that can no longer be ignored. Although big corporations continue to push its use, consumers have the power to make changes that can reduce the impact of this toxic chemical on our health and environment.

By making informed choices—such as buying organic, supporting glyphosate-free brands, and using water filters—you can minimize your exposure to glyphosate and take control of your well-being. While we can’t eliminate glyphosate overnight, each step toward cleaner, safer food is in the right direction.

1. Novotny, Eva. “Glyphosate, Roundup and the Failures of Regulatory Assessment.” Toxics, vol. 10, no. 6, June 2022, p. 321. PubMed Central.
2. Williams, Gary M., et al. “A Review of the Carcinogenic Potential of Glyphosate by Four Independent Expert Panels and Comparison to the IARC Assessment.” Critical Reviews in Toxicology, vol. 46, no. sup1, Sept. 2016, pp. 3–20. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1080/10408444.2016.1214677.
3. Zhang, Luoping, et al. “Exposure to Glyphosate-Based Herbicides and Risk for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Meta-Analysis and Supporting Evidence.” Mutation Research, vol. 781, 2019, pp. 186–206. PubMed Central.
4. Costas-Ferreira, Carmen, et al. “Toxic Effects of Glyphosate on the Nervous System: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 23, no. 9, Apr. 2022, p. 4605. PubMed Central.
5. De Araújo-Ramos, Anderson Tadeu, et al. “Controversies on Endocrine and Reproductive Effects of Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides: A Mini-Review.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, vol. 12, Mar. 2021, p. 627210. DOI.org (Crossref).
6. Walsh, Lauren, et al. “Impact of Glyphosate (RoundupTM) on the Composition and Functionality of the Gut Microbiome.” Gut Microbes, vol. 15, no. 2, p. 2263935. PubMed Central.