Scientific scrutiny of pesticide residue in food grows; regulatory protections questioned This article was originally published in Environmental Health News. By Carey Gillam Weed killers in wheat crackers and cereals, insecticides in apple juice and a mix of multiple pesticides in spinach, string beans and other veggies – all are part of the daily diets … Chemicals on Our Food: When “Safe” May Not Really Be Safe
Summary *Calorie Control Council is a trade group for manufacturers of artificial sweeteners *The CCC has “a penchant for stealthy public relations tactics” * CCC is run by a public relations company, “functions more like an industry front group than a trade association” *The PR firm that runs CCC represents asbestos manufacturers, oil companies, Monsanto, … Calorie Control Council (CCC) – key facts
By Carey Gillam Former University of Illinois food science professor Bruce Chassy is known for his academic gravitas. Now retired nearly four years, Chassy still writes and speaks often about food safety issues, identifying himself with the full weight of the decades of experience earned at the public university and as a researcher at the … Following an Email Trail: How a Public University Professor Collaborated on a Corporate PR Campaign
Monsanto Shareholders Meeting Draws Fire An array of GMO and pesticide critics spoke out at Monsanto Co.’s annual meeting of shareholders on Friday, Jan. 29 in the company’s hometown of Creve Coeur, Missouri, calling on the company to address concerns about the company’s genetically engineered crop products and the glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide used on those … Big Week for Big Ag Players Monsanto and Dow
By Carey Gillam As the active ingredient in Monsanto’s branded Roundup weed killer, along with hundreds of other weed-killing products, the chemical called glyphosate spells billions of dollars in sales for Monsanto and other companies each year as farmers around the world use it in their fields and orchards. Ubiquitous in food production, glyphosate is … Not Just For Corn and Soy: A Look at Glyphosate Use in Food Crops
By Carey Gillam The Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing risk assessment of the world’s most widely used herbicide is starting to generate more questions than answers. On Monday, it also generated a giant “oops” from the EPA. On Friday, April 29, the EPA posted on its website a series of documents related to its long-awaited risk … What Is Going On With Glyphosate? EPA’s Odd Handling of Controversial Chemical
Don’t mess with Monsanto Co. That is the message being delivered right now by the agrichemical industry as it makes a full-fledged assault on the team of international cancer scientists who dared to declare cancerous connections to the widely used herbicide called glyphosate, the chief ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup brand. Industry swagger is on full … IARC Scientists Defend Glyphosate Cancer Link; Surprised by Industry Assault
As Americans gather their families to share a Thanksgiving meal this week, new government data offers a potentially unappetizing assessment of the U.S. food supply: Residues of many types of insecticides, fungicides and weed killing chemicals have been found in roughly 85 percent of thousands of foods tested. Data released last week by the U.S. … New Data on Pesticides in Food Raises Safety Questions
By Carey Gillam The glyphosate geeks are gathering in Washington this week. After a two-month delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding four days of meetings aimed at examining the evidence that does or does not tie the world’s most widely used herbicide — glyphosate — to cancer. Scientists, activists and agricultural industry leaders … Serious scrutiny needed as EPA seeks input on cancer ties to Monsanto herbicide
Now it’s getting interesting. A new court filing made on behalf of dozens of people claiming Monsanto Co.’s Roundup herbicide gave them cancer includes information about alleged efforts within the Environmental Protection Agency to protect Monsanto’s interests and unfairly aid the agrichemical industry. The filing, made late Friday by plaintiff’s attorneys, includes what the attorneys … Questions about EPA-Monsanto collusion raised in cancer lawsuits
Call it the case of the mysterious mouse tumor. It’s been 34 years since Monsanto Co. presented U.S. regulators with a seemingly routine study analyzing the effects the company’s best-selling herbicide might have on rodents. Now, that study is once again under the microscope, emerging as a potentially pivotal piece of evidence in litigation brought … Of Mice, Monsanto and a Mysterious Tumor
By Carey Gillam Sometimes the truth about our food is not very appetizing. As many gather this holiday season for shared family meals, it is likely that they’ll be serving up small doses of pesticides with each plate passed, including a prevalent type shown to be harmful to children and reproductive health. New data released … Hold the Plum Pudding: US Food Sampling Shows Troubling Pesticide Residues
The Food and Drug Administration has responded to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for information regarding its efforts to start testing food samples for residues of glyphosate as well as some other herbicides, including 2, 4-D. Many of those documents can be accessed below: FDA FOIA 2017-7005 FDA FOIA 2017-7005 part 2 FDA Final … FDA FOIA Documents Regarding Glyphosate Residue Testing
In June, a California groundskeeper will make history by taking company to trial on claims it suppressed harm of Roundup Thisarticlewasoriginallypublishedin TheGuardian. By Carey Gillam At the age of 46, DeWayne Johnson is not ready to die. But with cancer spread through most of his body, doctors say he probably has just months to live. … Landmark Lawsuit Claims Monsanto Hid Cancer Danger of Weedkiller for Decades
Related coverage: Landmark Lawsuit Claims Monsanto Hid Cancer Danger of Weedkiller for Decades, by Carey Gillam in The Guardian First Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Jury Selection, Carey Gillam’s blog By Carey Gillam Let the battle begin.Opening statements are slated for Monday in the landmark legal case that for the first time puts Monsanto and its … First Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Underway
With the turn of the calendar to June, farmers in the U.S. Midwest are wrapping up the planting of new soybean crops and tending to growing fields of young corn plants and vegetable plots. But many are also bracing to be hit by an invisible enemy that has wreaked havoc in farm country the last … Dicamba: Farmers fear another season of crop damage; court ruling awaited
For years, U.S. regulators relied on falsified data provided by Dow Chemical to allow unsafe levels of the chemical chlorpyrifos into American homes, according to a new analysis from University of Washington researchers. The analysis reexamines work from the 1970s sponsored by Dow and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to guide the agency … U.S. regulators relied for years on flawed pesticide data provided by Dow Chemical
News Release For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 For More Information Contact:Carey Gillam (913) 526-6190 U.S. Right to Know, a consumer advocacy organization, filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violating provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).Public Citizen Litigation Group, a public interest law firm in Washington, … U.S. Right to Know Sues EPA for Glyphosate Residue Documents
Last month the Food & Drug Administration published its latest annual analysis of the levels of pesticide residues that contaminate the fruits and veggies and other foods we Americans routinely put on our dinner plates. The fresh data adds to growing consumer concern and scientific debate over how pesticide residues in food may contribute – … An Unappetizing Analysis from the FDA
For years, U.S. regulators relied on falsified data provided by Dow Chemical to allow unsafe levels of the chemical chlorpyrifos into American homes, according to a new analysis from University of Washington researchers. The analysis reexamines work from the 1970s sponsored by Dow and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to guide the agency … U.S. regulators relied for years on flawed pesticide data provided by Dow Chemical
Bayer AG suffered yet another setback this week in the company’s ongoing effort to undo at least one of the trial losses dealt to Monsanto Co. in U.S. litigation alleging that the company’s Roundup herbicide causes cancer and Monsanto spent decades covering up the risks. Bayer, which bought Monsanto in 2018 just as the first … California court rejects Bayer’s petition to review Pilliod Roundup trial victory
A scientist testified Monday that a California woman’s regular use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide “vastly” exceeded the exposure scientific research shows more than doubles the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). William Sawyer, a toxicologist and expert witness for plaintiff Donnetta Stephens in her lawsuit against Monsanto, cited scientific research that links use of Monsanto’s … Stephens trial drags on, toxicologist testifies about studies of herbicide and cancer risk
A California woman suing Monsanto over allegations that her use of Roundup weed killer caused her to develop cancer testified Monday that she had a hard time remembering many details about the extent of her use of the pesticide, struggling to answer several questions posed by a Monsanto attorney. In cross examination, Monsanto attorney Bart … Monsanto lawyer cross-examines cancer patient over her claims Roundup caused her disease
The former Monsanto Co., now owned by Bayer AG, notched its first win in the mass tort U.S. Roundup litigation on Tuesday, defeating at trial a mother who alleged her use of Roundup exposed her child to the pesticide and caused him to develop cancer. Ezra Clark was born in May 2011 and diagnosed in … Bayer wins Roundup trial; plaintiff fails to prove exposure caused child’s disease
A senior scientist at the former Monsanto Co. told jurors in a California trial that the company’s Roundup herbicide is so safe that the scientist uses it regularly at her home, and suggests friends also use the weed killing product. Donna Farmer, who worked as a toxicologist at Monsanto for more than two decades and … Monsanto scientist defends Roundup safety in California trial
A lawyer for a woman claiming her use of Roundup herbicide caused her to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma sparred with a longtime Monsanto scientist in court on Wednesday, forcing the scientist to address numerous internal corporate documents about research showing Monsanto weed killers could be genotoxic and lead to cancer. The testimony by former Monsanto scientist … Cancer patient lawyer spars with Monsanto scientist in California Roundup trial
A woman suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma was a devoted user of Roundup herbicide for decades before she became ill, her son testified Tuesday in a California trial that marks the fourth such trial pitting a cancer victim against Roundup maker Monsanto. Under questioning by a lawyer representing plaintiff Donetta Stephens, her son David Stephens recalled … Son testifies about his mother’s cancer alleged due to Roundup exposure
In fits and starts, and with a good dose of frustration over technical difficulties, a California trial pitting an elderly cancer victim against Monsanto owner Bayer AG resumed on Monday in a virtual format after in-person proceedings were suspended last week, reportedly due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19. Due to an array of … Bayer Roundup trial goes virtual, and it does not go well
The California trial pitting an elderly cancer victim against Monsanto owner Bayer AG has been delayed due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19, with proceedings now expected to resume next week in a virtual format via Zoom. Lawyers for plaintiff Donnetta Stephens say that she was a regular user of Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide … Covid delays one Roundup cancer trial while another looms
A former U.S. government scientist testifying in the fourth Roundup cancer trial to be held in the United States told a California jury this week that multiple research studies conducted over many years show an “almost certain” connection between Monsanto glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer. Christopher Portier, who is testifying as expert witness on behalf of … Scientist testifies in Roundup trial; judge reverses ruling that had helped Monsanto
Monsanto owner Bayer AG on Monday filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking the high court’s review of one of its trial losses in the nationwide Roundup cancer litigation. The move is widely seen as Bayer’s best hope for putting an end to claims that exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides, such as the … Bayer seeks U.S. Supreme Court review of Roundup trial loss
Monsanto owner Bayer AG has lost another appeals court decision in the sweeping U.S. Roundup litigation, continuing to struggle to find a way out from under the crush of tens of thousands of claims alleging that Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides cause cancer. In a decision handed down on Monday, the 1st Appellate District in the Court … Appeals court rejects Bayer bid to overturn Roundup trial loss; cites Monsanto “reckless disregard” for consumer safety
Despite Bayer AG’s efforts to put an end to costly litigation inherited in its acquisition of Monsanto, opening statements in yet another trial are set for Thursday as a woman suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma claims Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide caused her cancer. A jury of seven men and five women have been seated in the case … Bayer heads into next U.S. cancer trial, opening statements set for Thursday
Lawyers representing a woman suffering from cancer are prepared to face off against Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG in a California courtroom on Monday in what is set as the fourth trial over allegations Monsanto’s popular Roundup weed killers cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Jury selection in the case of Donnetta Stephens v. Monsanto … New Roundup cancer trial starting in California
A California judge gave Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG a pre-trial boost in a ruling issued Monday, a week before the scheduled start of a new courtroom challenge to the safety of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Judge Gilbert Ochoa of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County in California agreed with Monsanto that federal … Bayer gets lift in pre-trial ruling ahead of Roundup cancer trial
A group of Chinese researchers has found evidence that commercial glyphosate-based herbicide products are harmful to honeybees at or below recommended concentrations. In a paper published in the online journal Scientific Reports , researchers affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing and the Chinese Bureau of Landscape and Forestry, said they found … New study examines Roundup herbicide impact on honeybees
(UPDATED May 27 with Bayer statement about new plans) The federal judge overseeing nationwide Roundup litigation on Wednesday denied Bayer’s latest attempt to limit its legal liability from future cancer claims associated with its glyphosate-based herbicides, citing numerous “glaring flaws” in a settlement proposed to apply to Roundup users who have not yet sued the … Judge shoots down Bayer’s plan to limit future Roundup legal liability, issues harsh criticism
In a blow to Monsanto owner Bayer AG’s bid to block continued liability over Roundup cancer litigation, a federal appeals court shot down the company’s argument that federal regulatory backing of the company’s herbicides preempts claims made by cancer patient Edwin Hardeman. In a ruling issued Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth … Another loss for Bayer over Roundup cancer claims as appeals court shoots down preemption argument
The lawyers who led the nationwide U.S. Roundup litigation through three trial victories and forced Monsanto owner Bayer AG into an $11 billion settlement have notified a federal court that they have uncovered evidence of fraud in a secret deal between Monsanto and a lone plaintiff’s lawyer who has not been active in the litigation … Trial lawyers accuse Monsanto, Bayer of “pay-to-appeal scheme,” allege “fraud”
(Updated February 17, adding criticism of study) A new scientific paper examining the potential health impacts of Roundup herbicides found links between exposure to the weed killing chemical glyphosate and an increase in a type of amino acid known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers made their determinations after exposing pregnant … Another Roundup study finds links to potential human health problems
Lawyers for Monsanto owner Bayer AG and for plaintiffs suing Monsanto told a federal judge on Thursday that they were continuing to make progress in settling sweeping nationwide litigation brought by people who claim Monsanto’s Roundup caused them to develop cancer. In a video hearing, Bayer lawyer William Hoffman told U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria … Roundup cancer trials still a threat to Bayer, but settlement talks progressing
(UPDATES with comment from BASF) The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday declared it would not immediately honor a court ruling handed down last week that banned certain herbicides made by three of the world’s largest chemical companies. The move by the EPA amounts to a generous gift to BASF, Bayer and Corteva Agrisciences whose dicamba … EPA thumbs nose at court order, says farmers can still use illegal dicamba herbicides
After less than two full days of deliberations, a California jury ordered Monsanto to pay just over $2 billion in punitive and compensatory damages to a married couple who both developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma they say was caused by their many years of using Roundup products. After listening to 17 days of trial testimony, jurors said … Monsanto Ordered to Pay $2 Billion to Cancer Victims
Former Monsanto Chairman and CEO Hugh Grant will have to testify in person at a St. Louis-area trial set for January in litigation brought by a cancer-stricken woman who claims her disease was caused by exposure to the company’s Roundup herbicide and that Monsanto covered up the risks instead of warning consumers. Grant, who led … Former Monsanto CEO Ordered to Testify at Roundup Cancer Trial
Citing an “emergency,” chemical giants BASF and DuPont have asked a federal court to allow them to intervene in a case in which the court earlier this month ordered their dicamba herbicides to be immediately banned along with a dicamba product made by Monsanto owner Bayer AG. The action by the chemical companies follows a … Panicked chemical giants seek leeway in court ban on their weed killers
Bayer is asking a California appeals court to trim $4 million from the amount of money it owes a California groundskeeper struggling to survive cancer that a trial court found was caused by the man’s exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. In a “petition for rehearing” filed Monday with the Court of Appeal for the First … Bayer asks appeals court to again cut Roundup damage award owed to California groundskeeper with cancer
Thousands of cancer patients and their families around the United States were notified this week that a comprehensive settlement of their claims against the former Monsanto Co. should be announced before the end of the month. Though specific settlement amounts for specific plaintiffs are still to be determined, groups of plaintiffs have been told to … Roundup cancer plaintiffs eagerly await settlement news
As Monsanto continues to battle legal claims over alleged dangers of its widely used Roundup herbicides, the company is trying to block orders to turn over internal records about its work with public relations and strategic consulting contractors. In a series of filings in St. Louis Circuit Court, Monsanto argues that it should not have … As Roundup cancer lawsuits surge, Monsanto fights to keep PR work secret
The drama continues in the closely watched battle between lawyers defending the former Monsanto Co. and those representing thousands of cancer victims who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide gave them or a family member non-Hodgkin lymphoma. On Friday, a California trial was officially postponed after more than a week of jury selection activities and … St. Louis Roundup cancer trial reset for Wednesday as California trial called off
Dozens of U.S. law firms have formed a coalition to fight a new $2 billion settlement proposal by Monsanto owner Bayer AG that aims to contain the company’s ongoing liability related to claims that Roundup herbicides cause a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The settlement is designed to compensate people who have … Bayer’s plan for settling future Roundup cancer claims faces broad opposition
