New bill aims to limit children’s exposure to glyphosate herbicides

Legislation to dramatically restrict exposure to glyphosate was introduced in Congress in March, in response to the toxic chemical appearing in children’s breakfast foods.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro put forth the Keep Food Safe from Glyphosate Act, a three-pronged bill intended to protect consumers. The bill would: 1) prohibit pre-harvest spraying of glyphosate on oats; 2) restore the permissible level of glyphosate residue from its current 30 ppm level to its original level of 0.1 ppm; and 3) require the USDA to regularly test fruits, vegetables, and other children’s foods for glyphosate residues.

The Environmental Protection Agency increased the permissible level to 30 ppm to help Canadian oat farmers—with pressure from agrochemical producers. Not surprisingly, unsafe glyphosate levels were showing up in Cheerios and Quaker Oatmeal.

“We know farmers can harvest oats without glyphosate, and to protect kids’ health, this needlessly risky practice must stop,” said Colin O’Neil of Environmental Working Group.

In September 2018, MegaFood, Ben & Jerry’s, Stonyfield Farm, MOM’s Organic Market, Nature’s Path, and other natural retailers petitioned EPA to limit residues and halt pre-harvest drying.

“It is shocking that USDA’s annual pesticide residue survey fails to include the most widely used pesticide in America,” O’Neil said.

Source: Sustainable Pulse

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