Glyphosate: A Call to Action

Why are we talking about Glyphosate more commonly known as Round-Up?

  If you haven’t heard there is a current case in our high courts involving Bayer/Monsanto and their request to be immune from liability of health issues caused by glyphosate and to avoid labeling their products as a carcinogen.  If this passes, it would allow this company to avoid being sued or held liable for any impact it’s product has on those who use it or inadvertently consume it through food.  Since food is a regular topic of discussion here at TLI, we thought we would shed some light on what this product is, how it may affect health, and how you can learn more and get involved in the discussion. 

What is it?  - Glyphosate is an herbicide that controls the growth of weeds and broadleaf plants.  It was registered in 1974 and has been impacting food growth and farming since it’s inception.  It is most commonly known to be used in products like Round-Up and is now considered one of the most important and controversial tools used in mass agriculture today.

How does it work? – Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that will kill most plants by stopping their ability to make proteins needed for growth. It inhibits the synthesis of amino acids of tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine which are also important amino acids found in the human body. 

Is it harmful to health? – Different sources tell different stories however, much of the research does show that exposure over time can prove to disrupt human health in various ways.  Humans are exposed to this chemical through several different potential sources.  If you are in farming then direct exposure through occupation, skin contact when using at home in gardens, through the air as the wind carries the spray far beyond the fields,  and ingesting it through foods we eat and water we drink.

There have been potential side effects noted in several studies.  Those include affecting the kidneys, lungs and liver as the molecules tend to accumulate most in these areas of the body. It has also been shown to be an endocrine disrupter affecting hormone production as well as altering the gut microbiome causing potential for digestive disorders.  Overall, glyphosate has shown potential to create DNA damage possibly leading to cancer and other diseases.

How do we avoid it? – Unfortunately, there is most likely no way to completely avoid it, however, there are steps we can take to limit our exposure:

1.     Do not use at home in your own landscaping or garden!  Try natural methods like

weeding regularly, neem oil or other organic products made from nature.

2.     Grow food yourself when it is possible.  This is the best way to control what goes on

your food.

3.     Buy from your local farmer’s market.  Have conversations with your vendors to see how

they grow and treat their produce.

4.     Buy organic when you can.  This does not limit all exposure as much of the organic

food is grown near fields that are conventional and the wind carries the spray. 

However, it is less exposure.

5.     Avoid processed foods as many of the grains and oils used in packaged foods have

been exposed. These include products made with commercial corn, soy and wheat as

these products are all treated with the herbicide.

6.      Check for “Glyphoshate Residue Free” stamp on products

7.      Stick to Non-GMO foods as many products have been modified to tolerate

glyphosate spray

8.      Look for the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” List put together by Environmental

Working Group each year.  Find that list here:  www.ewg.org

9.      Pasture raised meats from your local farmers versus meats at your local grocery.  Many

animals are fed grains that are heavily sprayed with herbicides.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved to impact the use of glyphosate in our food supply here are some resources below:

To Learn More:

·         Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org

·         The Detox Project: www.thedetoxproject.org

·         Moms Across America: www.momsacrossamerica.com

To Act Now:

1.   Write your Congressional Representative to support HB 7601 “No Immunity for

Glyphosate Act". Voting is scheduled for this week so please ACT NOW!

2. People vs. Poison: www.peoplevspoison.org to find out how to contact your

representative to voice your concern about the proposed Farm Bill that provides

immunity from Liability for Bayer/Monsanto.

3.  Participate in the “People Vs. Poison” rally in Washington, D.C. on April 27^th, 2026 at

the Supreme Court @ 9:00am.  Go to www.peoplevspoison.org for more details.