Chemical Found in Weed Killer Might Be Entering the Food Supply

JACKSON, Mississippi. Monsanto, a company that produces a weed killer, was ordered to pay $289 million in damages following a lawsuit in which a person claimed that his use of Roundup led to his cancer. Yet, should the public be concerned about using weed killer? How dangerous is glyphosate (the chemical in the weed killer associated with cancer)? And, how worried should you be about glyphosate being found in the food supply? First of all, let’s look at what the outcome of the lawsuit means. The lawsuit doesn’t find that glyphosate causes cancer. Rather, according to Business Insider, the jury found that Monsanto failed to warn users of the weed killer about the potential risks the chemical could cause. The jury found that Monsanto knew about the risks and intentionally kept that information away from the public. This is very different than making a product that causes cancer. The chemical associated with cancer in the weed killer is called glyphosate. Scientists are still studying whether there is a link between it and cancer. Currently, the chemical is listed as a “possible” carcinogen by the World Health Organization. This puts it in the same category as red meat. We don’t see burger joints putting warnings on their burger signs and we don’t see people stopping from eating burgers, either. Similarly, more research needs to be done into the chemical used in weed killers. It is possible that the chemical will be upgraded and put in a category similar to smoking, but it is also possible that the chemical will be downgraded and found to not be linked to the development of cancer. Research seems to lean towards finding glyphosate non-carcinogenic, but only time will tell. Yet, according to Mother Jones, small traces glyphosate were found in popular packaged foods like cereal and granola bars. While the Environmental Protection Agency has found that 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is an acceptable exposure amount, the amount of acceptable exposure for children is much smaller. When food products were tested for the presence of the chemical, many of the products were found to have traces that were higher than the sanctioned “safe” amounts. Some of the products are marketed for infants. This is alarming, both for adults who eat cereal and for children who may also consume these products. While the manufacturers and producers of these products continue to assert that they are safe and that they are working to prevent contamination, consumers should keep a close watch on how this story unfolds. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family? Stay informed. Learn about recalls of cereals or oat products. Finally, if you believe you have been exposed to a defective or dangerous product, know your rights. If you’ve been hurt due to another company or person’s neglect or negligence, you may be entitled to seek damages under the law. Visit Malouf & Malouf, personal injury lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi to learn more. Our firm may be able to help you seek damages for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Visit us at https://malouflaw.com/personal-injury/.   Malouf & Malouf, PLLC 501 E Capitol St. Jackson, MS 39201 Phone Number: (601) 522-2222