New ‘Glyphosate-Free’ Label for Food and Beverages Is a Big Win for Humans and Bees!

In recent years, consumers have become more conscientious of the products they buy, leading to a number of certifications being added to labels of products, like “Gluten-Free,” “Non-GMO Project Verified,” “Vegan,” etc., and now there is a new label on the shelves — “Glyphosate Residue Free.”

Glyphosate is the world’s most commonly used herbicide that is typically known by the commercial name Roundup (a Monsanto-owned weed killer), and its presence has become a growing concern for conscious consumers. Extensive scientific studies have shown that glyphosate is detrimental to the health of humans, the environment, and animals, particularly bees.

The World Health Organization’ cancer agency declared the chemical to be a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015, and it has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor. Glyphosate is said to pollute up to 75 percent of U.S. air and water resources, and it is present in 90 percent of soybeans and 70 percent of corn grown in the U.S.

Glyphosate is also linked to the growing epidemic of declining bee populations, known as colony collapse disorder. Bees exposed to glyphosate starved and exhibited poor learning performance with effects on memory and a decrease in their sense of smell. These effects are linked to bees not remembering how to get back to their hives, and if they do find their way back, the chemical is easily spread throughout the hive, which then can lead to colony collapse. This directly affects our food system since bees are the busiest pollinators of our crops.

But thankfully there is some good news in this realm. Two organizations, BioChecked and The Detox Project, are now issuing “Glyphosate Residue Free” certifications for products. This new label is hoped to keep consumers confident and comfortable with the products they buy, knowing that there is no residue of this harmful chemical present.

Being labeled “Organic” is not enough, as air drift from neighboring farms who use glyphosate can cause some organic products to have traces of the chemical. These organizations are new, both having started this certification process earlier this year, and only a handful of companies have hopped on board with this new certification process. However, it is expected to catch on as a major trend as more consumers begin demanding transparent labeling.

To learn more about the certification process or to test your products (or yourself) for glyphosate, check out The Detox Project website.

Image Source: Flickr