The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to start testing certain foods for residues of the world’s most widely used weed killer after the WHO declared the chemical a probable human carcinogen last year. The issue is the herbicide glyphosate that outside groups have tested and found residues of the chemical in breast milk, honey, cereal, wheat flour, soy sauce, infant formula, and other substances.
“The agency is now considering assignments for Fiscal Year 2016 to measure glyphosate in soybeans, corn, milk and eggs, among other potential foods,” said the FDA spokeswomen. To get this testing process started at six FDA laboratories, it will cost about five million dollars.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup patented by Monsanto that is widely used as a weed killer. Although the manufacturer stated the chemical was thought to be safe, naturopathic doctors have been aware of the dangers and toxicity of the chemical compound. Bianca Garilli, a NaturalPath expert, shared her views on the subject of glyphosate and growing up around the use of herbicides in an article titled, “A Naturopathic Perspective on GMOs, Herbicides and Public Health“.
Looking back with nostalgia on my “farm days,” I often wonder today what exposures I incurred – did that have any effect on my long term struggle with chronic fatigue or did it in any way contribute to the health of my future child who would, over a decade later, be born with a congenital heart defect…
Critics say several studies have linked the chemical to human health ailments, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and kidney and liver problems.
After the consumer win with the blockage of the DARK Act on March 16th, 2016, the use of herbicides and GMO will continue to pressure the government to do something…but will it be enough?
For more information, read the full study.
http://civileats.com/2016/02/17/fda-to-start-testing-for-glyphosate-in-food/
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
