Food Talk. Why Organic Matters. The Issue of Roundup.
As a Mom there are so many things to worry about. One of those things shouldn’t have to be the food that we are feeding our kids. Did you know that an agency at the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared that the main ingredient, glyphosate, in Roundup (developed by Monsanto), a popular weed killer is likely highly carcinogenic. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of WHO studied the effects of glyphosate on animals people and cells and came to this conclusion (Weed Killer, Long Cleared, is Doubted, New York Times).
This new information is highly alarming because although we try to purchase as much organic food as possible and to grow our own organic vegetables, cost and availability of organic foods can sometimes be prohibitive. Well, you might be thinking, “what does this mean for me and my family, I don’t use RoundUp in my garden or yard.” Here’s the scary part, Roundup has been used for more than 30 years as a common herbicide by people in their home gardens, as well as along roadways and other natural environments to kill weeds. Roundup was deemed to be safe for use. Roundup is also heavily used in agriculture to boost agricultural yields by killing weeds that would prevent a strong crop year.
Roundup. Is it safe to use glyphosate to kill weeds? How does it affect our food supply?
In 1996 Monsanto developed its first Roundup Ready crops that can withstand the use of Roundup meaning that the crops will survive while Roundup will take care of killing all of the other weeds. This is where Genetically Modified Food (G.M.O’s ) come into the picture. You may remember the Flavr Savr Tomato, a genetically modified tomato, that hit supermarket shelves in 1994, approved by the FDA to bring you tomatoes with delayed ripening. This was the beginning of a surge of genetically modified foods hitting the store shelves. Not only will you find Round Up ready crops in the produce aisle but Roundup ready crops corn and soybeans are heavily used in animal feed.
Another concerning problem is that now scientists have discovered that weeds once killed by Roundup are becoming resistant. If you have been paying attention to the news and hearing all about antibiotic resistant superbugs then this will sound familiar . . . scientists are discovering “Super Weeds” that are resistant to glyphosate. Unfortunately the solution to this problem is often more frequent application of Roundup and also in greater quantities.
Even though this announcement was made by the World Health Organization about glyphosate, there continues to be a debate about the usage of Roundup. There are petitions circling online calling for Roundup to be banned although Monsanto questions the information in the study. Currently other organizations in the U.S. do not see cause for major concern as their are questions surrounding the effects of low level exposure to glyphosate. However there have not been many studies conducted that look at the effects of low level exposure long-term (National Geographic) We will have to wait to see what happens with Roundup but I know that for us and our family this strengthens our belief in choosing organic whenever possible. If you cannot purchase organic food, foods that are G.M.O. Free are another option to look for.
What are your thoughts on G.M.O.’s and the use of Roundup and other similar herbicides and pesticides?
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18 responses
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The time had come for a federal law calling for labeling of GMO foods. Most other countries require it (or ban GMOs altogether), yet our government allows the special interest groups, lobbyists and big business to override the health of our citizens. It is shameful that a company like Monsanto can have so much power and it’s very sad that time after time, they have managed to convince voters that we shouldn’t be allowed to know what’s in our food. Great article!
Debbie recently posted…On My Mind: Thinking Out Loud
I think that is most terrifying to me is how none of us batted an eye about any of this back in the 90s (which is pretty damn recent!).
fantastic post.
sharing….
I support organic…just wish it was the norm instead of the speciality!
AmyC recently posted…6 Days in China and I Climbed a Mountain
Super Weeds . . . like super bacteria . . . .always getting bigger, badder, more resistant . . . “progress” always comes with a price, it’s sad to think about
Thanks for the info. Its always important to know what we could be eating in our food.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Comment on May 2015 Monthly Goals by jillconyers
Wow, I didn’t know about this. One thing I love about NYC is all the farmers’ markets that have delicious, organic food and help support local farmers. I’m definitely going to shop at them more now!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Fit, Focused & Fun Finds (from around the web!) #32
Thank you for sharing this information. There is so much we don’t know when it comes to our food even though they “tell us” it’s safe. I just wish they would make the safest decision for the health of all people. I’m a supporter of organic and buying local (farmers markets, healthy supermarkets, etc)!
Artney @ My Pretty Brown recently posted…Super Shred: Week 1 Complete! There is a Light!
What a meaningful, thorough article. Thank you for sharing information we all need to know before purchasing food for our families! In this day and age we are so removed from agriculture that I think many people feel like someone must be monitoring everything. But no one really is. It’s up to us to make good purchasing decisions so we can support the type of food system we want to have.
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy recently posted…Rosemary Sea Salt Popcorn
I think it is scary and the fact that it is banned in other coutries is an indicator that maybe we should ban it too. I think there are a lot of illnesses that conicide with the inception of Round Up and GMOS. Too many to think that this is not causing problems. I try to avoif them when I can and eat mostly oragnic if possible.
Toni recently posted…2015 Long Island 10K Recap
Roundup has always been a huge red flag to me and I won’t go near it. I find the whole GMO thing very troubling as well.
Thanks so much for sharing this. Honestly I don’t know much about GMOs (and I should) so really should read up more about it and the issues surrounding it. I do try to buy organic when I can. One way I can improve though is buying organic and grass fed meats but it is just so expensive!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…NJ 5K XC Series Race 1 Recap
Did you watch that video of that study where a Swedish (I think?) family ate regular for a few weeks, had their blood and urine tested, then ate strictly organic? They had tons of pestisides in their urine eating non-organic 🙁 At least you know their kidneys and livers were doing their jobs and filtering them out… but still! I buy organic and local when I can. My food bill is huge 🙁
Bri recently posted…{thinking out loud} Are you self-creating stress?
I buy organic as often as possible and always follow the dirty dozen list. I’ve read a lot about GMOs and related topics to educate myself so I can make the healthiest choices for me and my family.
Great post!
I can’t afford to buy organic all the time as a student, but I try to when I can. Definitely something we need to be mindful of!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…20 Delicious and Healthy Smoothie Recipes
I think yes terrifying that this is used in our food! I’m all about that organic goodness. Great post and information!!
Jessica recently posted…Staying Motivated
The more I read and learn about GMO’s and pesticides the more I want to only do organic and live off the grid. There are so many yucky things in our SOIL and WATER and AIR. :sigh:
rachel recently posted…Polar A300 Fitness and Activity Monitor