It’s Official: California Lists Key Ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup as Cancer-Causing
A popular brand that claims its products kills weeds, has just been dealt a serious blow. Monsato, the creator of Round Up, is close to losing an important legal battle with the state of California. For nearly twenty years a fight has been waged against Monsato and any other company that chooses to use the potentially toxic chemical “glyphosate”.
Glyphosate is an herbicide often used to kill both broadleaf plant and grasses, and the “sodium salt” form of the toxic ingredient is often used to increase plant growth and help ripen fruit. The concern is that many studies point to glyphosate being a “substance known to cause cancer.” The findings have of course been disputed by Monsato, calling the findings on the harmful chemical “junk science”. And until recently they’ve been able to avoid any legal push back. But the state of California appears close to adding glyphosate to their Prop 65 list. As EcoWatch explains, “Under Prop 65, businesses must warn Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.” While this is an important first step, many unanswered questions remain... questions such as:
“How much glyphosate will need to be present before a product is required to carry a warning? How many foods will exceed the glyphosate residue limits set by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)?”
With the landmark ruling, herbicide/pesticide brands are likely to face new obstacles when producing and marketing some of their most popular products. Unfortunately, Monsato and other brands are sure to put up a fight like all stubborn weeds do.
To learn more about California’s landmark ruling, and the continued fight against glyphosate, click here: http://bit.ly/2tDFKsi