A new study found that Bayer’s Roundup herbicide uses a small amount of chemicals in the popular hummus brand.
Research from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that more than 80% of the non-organic hummus and chickpea samples studied contained the chemical glyphosate.
The Environmental Protection Agency re-approved the use of glyphosate in January, claiming that it does not pose a threat to humans.
However, thousands of lawsuits attributed cancer cases to reviews. But many cases involved people who inhaled glyphosate in Roundup instead of consuming glyphosate in food.
EWG believes that eating 160 parts per billion of food every day is unhealthy. Using this standard, it found that hummus from brands such as Whole Foods and Sabra exceeded this amount.
A Whole Foods spokesperson pointed out in an email to The Hill that its samples meet the EPA’s limit, which is higher than the EWG limit.
The spokesperson said: “The entire food market requires suppliers to pass effective raw material control plans (including appropriate testing) to meet all applicable restrictions on glyphosate.”
EWG commissioned a laboratory to inspect samples from 27 non-organic hummus brands, 12 organic hummus brands and 9 organic hummus brands.
According to the EPA, a small amount of glyphosate will not cause health effects. However, a study published by BMJ in 2017 called the EPA’s consultation “outdated” and recommended that it should be updated to reduce the acceptable glyphosate limit in food.
EWG toxicologist Alexis Temkin said in a statement that buying organic hummus and chickpeas is a way for consumers to avoid glyphosate.
Temkin said: “EWG testing of glyphosate conventional and organic legume products will help increase market transparency and protect the integrity of the Ministry of Agriculture’s organic certification.”
EWG published a study on glyphosate found in Quaker, Kellogg’s and General Mills products in August 2018.
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