Many families like to choose organic foods when shopping at the grocery stores to avoid toxic chemicals. But even farmers who grow organic crops can add some herbicides and pesticides. What can be used?
You may be surprised but many crops have glyphosate, even though with organic crops, it isn’t supposed to be used. You will find that some conditions will cause this to happen even though organic crops are assumed to be free of this herbicide.
With all the information out today, it is difficult to find reliable information on these sorts of topics. Here is the real truth about glyphosate and organic crops.
Table of Contents
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- Can Glyphosate Be Used On Organic Crops
- How Farmers Implement Glyphosate
- Do Organic Farmers Spray Any Herbicides and Pesticides On Crops?
- The Dangers Of Glyphosate
- Short Term
- Long Term
- Conclusion
Can Glyphosate Be Used On Organic Crops
Organic farming certifications require that all farmers with this label cannot use glyphosate on their crops. This is because glyphosate has been linked to chronic illness and developmental disabilities as well as just being bad for human consumption in the long run.
You will find even though it’s not allowed, there have been traces of this chemical found in organic plants, but these still pass the standard which means they can be labelled as organic.
The crops are often tested to see if they have high levels of glyphosate but not every single crop will go through this process. Because of this, sometimes farmers can get away with spraying the crops even if it’s not allowed for organic crops.
Sometimes you will find the word “natural” or “GMO free” on products thinking that it is organic. This is not the case. These products don’t have GMO alternatives and so can be labelled as such while still using this chemical.
How Farmers Implement Glyphosate
So how do farmers get away with using glyphosate on organic products when it’s not allowed? Well some farmers have found ways around implementing glyphosate without directly applying the herbicide to the crop.
Glyphosate is a weed killer that has also been known as RoundUp. It is meant to be applied to crops to get rid of any and all weeds that could potentially harm the production of those crops. It is often applied near maturity of the crops and also helps speed up the growth. This allows an increase in products and more income for farmers.
To keep using glyphosate while being able to slap on the label of “organic,” many farmers will apply the herbicide between crops. Before the seeds are planted, they will make sure to spray the chemical all over the land to prevent these weeds from sprouting.
Using this technique of application allows most of the glyphosate to break down before the crops are ready to be sowed. This doesn’t mean that all the chemical has dissipated and the plants haven’t absorbed it. You will find that organic plants have a trace of glyphosate that is still allowed under an organic certification.
Even though this is one of the methods, some farmers have been found to use this herbicide and still try to label their crops as organic. There are some companies that have sprayed their plants with this and have been found out. This often leads to a lawsuit and quite the payout.
Do Organic Farmers Spray Any Herbicides and Pesticides On Crops?
The simple answer is yes in many cases but under certain parameters. Farmers are allowed to use natural forms of herbicides and pesticides and other products to keep pests and weeds away. As long as these products are not synthetic, these companies can still label their products as organic and receive no consequences.
If you are curious about what products, there is a list that you can look at that provides you with all the information you need. You can find it here. The list is ever changing as chemicals and solutions are being removed or added as research surfaces.
The Dangers Of Glyphosate
Although you will find traces of glyphosate in your water, food, and other products, it is not the safest to ingest. This is because over time as you continually consume the chemical, it can hamper your health both long term and short term.
Thankfully, glyphosate can’t enter the body vai skin easily. It is normally absorbed or ingested. You will find that it can work through your body pretty quickly and won’t actually change into another chemical by the time it leaves.
Short Term
For short term consumption, you would have to directly eat the product rather than receiving it through other types of foods. Here are some short term effects and symptoms you will see when consuming glyphosate:
- Burns in mouth and throat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased saliva
Reference:
If you find yourself accidentally eating this product, you need to go find a medical professional or go to the closest hospital.
Long Term
It has come to light that this chemical may also caused many long term illnesses and can be quite detrimental to your health. This is because customers consume it for long periods of time that can have terrible effects. These side effects and illnesses that can come with long term consumption is:
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Parkinsons
- Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Digestional issues
- Developmental issues
- Stunt in development
- Other long term illness
References:
- https://extension.psu.edu/glyphosate-roundup-understanding-risks-to-human-health
- https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MonographVolume112-1.pdf
- Glyphosate Fact Sheet: Cancer and Other Health Concerns
This chemical is seen as an antibiotic and can affect your body at a deeper level. The companies that sell this product and farmers that have used it, have been in trouble with the law for the misleading effects that it has caused.
There are still studies going to see what other long term effects this chemical can cause. Many scientists are discovering that it can cause many long term effects that have yet been listed but have to go through a stringent process before releasing the information.
Conclusion
Sadly, you cannot remove glyphosate from all your foods and drinks as it is commonly used across America. You can reduce your consumption of the chemical by choosing organic products and trying to stay away from GMO products.
The surest way to reduce glyphosate consumption is to grow your own food and personally manage what is used on and near your crops. Another way is to purchase your food from local producers in which you are familiar with their farming practices.
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Harold Thornbro
Author, blogger, podcaster, homesteading and permaculture enthusiast. I have a passion for sharing what I learn and helping others on their journey. If you're looking for me, you'll usually find me in the garden.
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Based on the content you've shared, the article primarily revolves around the use of glyphosate in organic farming, its presence in organic crops, the methods employed by farmers to implement glyphosate without direct application, and the associated risks of consuming glyphosate, both short-term and long-term.
Glyphosate, known commercially as RoundUp, is a herbicide used to eliminate weeds in conventional farming. Organic farming certifications strictly prohibit the use of glyphosate due to its harmful effects on human health, its association with chronic illnesses, and developmental disabilities. However, despite these regulations, traces of glyphosate have been found in some organic crops, likely due to indirect exposure or contamination.
Farmers have adopted strategies to circumvent the direct application of glyphosate on organic crops. One common method involves applying the herbicide between crop cycles, before planting seeds, to prevent weed growth. Although this technique allows for the degradation of most glyphosate before planting, residues can still be present in the soil, potentially absorbed by the organic plants.
Additionally, there are instances where products labeled as "natural" or "GMO-free" are mistaken for organic, even though they might contain glyphosate. Farmers may resort to using certain natural forms of herbicides and pesticides that comply with organic farming standards but may not be entirely free from health concerns.
The risks associated with glyphosate consumption include both short-term and long-term effects. Short-term symptoms upon direct ingestion include mouth and throat burns, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased saliva. Long-term exposure has been linked to severe health issues such as cancer, developmental disorders, digestive problems, and even non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
It's essential to acknowledge that glyphosate remains prevalent in various consumables, including food, water, and other products, despite efforts to minimize its use. However, individuals can reduce their exposure by opting for organic products, avoiding GMO-labeled items, growing their own food, or sourcing produce from local farms with known farming practices.
The article emphasizes the challenges in completely avoiding glyphosate in the food supply chain and underscores the significance of informed consumer choices and awareness about farming practices to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
The references provided in the article corroborate these claims, citing scientific studies and sources like the National Pesticide Information Center, extension publications from reputable institutions like Penn State University, and reports from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In summary, the piece navigates the complexities surrounding glyphosate use in organic farming, highlighting the difficulties in ensuring complete absence while advocating for informed consumer decisions to mitigate exposure risks.
