Borrego Sun - Since 1949

In March, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer reported that glyphosate (one of the most widely used herbicides in agriculture) is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The California Environmental Protection Agency announced on September 4 a notice of intent to list glyphosate under the state’s Proposition 65 law, which requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. According to the EPA, businesses with 10 or more employees that use chemicals on this list must provide a clear and reasonable warning of the product’s potential dangers. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide used to kill weeds. Monsanto brought it to market in the 1970s under the name of Roundup. In 2009 a French court found Monsanto guilty of lying about Roundup being “biodegradable,” “environmentally friendly,” and that it “left the soil clean.” Roundup products, including genetically modified seeds represent about half of Monsanto’s gross margin. The USGS has found Roundup in our air, rain, streams and surface water. Now we know it is also prevalent in our foods. Gyphosate sprayed on conventional and genetically engineered crops becomes systemic throughout the plant so it can’t be washed off. Genetically engineered corn contains more than 18 times the “safe” level of glyphosate set by the EPA. The EPA’s notice of intent is one small step in the battle against the biotech industry that has turned our food into poison. The only way you can avoid GE ingredients is to buy only 100 percent USDA certified organic.