Glyphosate in Food

What is Glyphosate?

  Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Monsanto's RoundUp Herbicide.  This is a product that is meant to kill plants which gets rid weeds and other unwanted plants.  When glyphosate is in action in plants, it prevents certain proteins from being made in the specific plant.  Due to the fact that these proteins aren't being made, the plan cannot grow, and therefore it dies.  Many farmers use this product to kill off weeds and other plants that are taking nutrients from they crops.  The concern for this product is the fact that the crops are being contaminated too.  While the farmer is trying to spray the unwanted plants, there is no way to prevent the herbicide from getting on the crops that he is growing to be sold later.  The two main crops being contaminated are a big part of today's society: soy and corn.  This causes issues later down the road when our food supply is being contaminated with toxic products and the citizens are consuming these infected crops.

Why is it dangerous?

   Glyphosate is a dangerous alone, but when it comes into contact with humans, it causes many harmful effects.  The toxic chemical is not meant to be able to infect humans.  One of the main issues with this chemical is that fact that it is systemic.  This means that the chemical spreads through all of the cells in the crops, and cannot be washed off.  The chemical is then ingested into those that consume the contaminated product.  Many studies have been done showing the harmful affects that these chemicals have on humans after entering their system.  The common concerns are birth defects, reproductive disorders, tumors, blood cell damage, kidney disease, and cancer.  The high levels of glyphosate that have infected these crops has an average of 11.0 parts per million.  These chemicals are at a dangerous level, which causes the diseases stated above.

What do we do?

  This is a major concern for many individuals all around the world.  Although it is an issue, there are many ways to avoid contact or decrease contact with such harmful chemicals.  One of the main ways to combat these chemicals is to check labels.  Reading the labels will let you know what you and your loved ones are coming into contact with.  This will help gain knowledge and be more aware of what you are putting near your body.  Another thing to check is that the animals are being grass fed to avoid them eating the chemicals that will in turn transfer into your system.  A way to ensure grass fed animals and a chemical free product is to support local farmers and small businesses.  Even when you think you are sure the projects are safe, make sue to double-check the labels and information about where your products are coming from.  Lastly, the best way to make a statement about this issue is to boycott businesses that are using these harmful chemicals and products.  Overall, it's up to you to make sure that everything you consume is safe.



Sources:
  National Pesticide Information Center
     http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html
  Environmental Working Group
     http://www.ewg.org/agmag/2014/04/extreme-levels-herbicide-roundup-found-foo
  Take Control of Your Health
     http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/20/glyphosate-roundup-levels.aspx
  GMO Awareness
     http://gmo-awareness.com/resources/glyphosate/