Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, was found in beer and wine, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG).
Federal jury finds that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer caused a 70-year old man’s cancer, the second major blow for the company in a year. https://t.co/pJBAGgsNoU pic.twitter.com/fCFkbLbtTq
— ABC News (@ABC) March 21, 2019
Germany’s Bayer AG owned glyphosate after it merged with Monsanto in 2018.
The researchers tested a total of 20 products. Five wines and 15 beers.
Beers tested include Budweiser, Coors, Miller Lite, Sam Adams, Samuel Smith Organic, and New Belgium. Wines tested include Beringer, Barefoot, and Sutter Home.
Saturday afternoon wine tasting featuring Beringer Founders Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bourbon Barrel Red and Chardonnay from 3-7pm. pic.twitter.com/iQodQcixym
— Clayton Liquor Store (@ClaytonLiquor) March 16, 2019
Coors Light will serve free beer when Bud Light trolls them |
| https://t.co/aHvwwZwGI5 pic.twitter.com/Ldge1Wcxzp
— Rocketnews (@Rocketnews1) March 16, 2019
The report cited a study where researchers found 1 part per trillion of glyphosate was enough to stimulate growth in human hormone-dependent breast cancer and disrupt the systems in the body that produce hormones, regulate metabolism, reproduction, and sleep, among others.
Although the amount of glyphosate found in the beverages was below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk tolerance levels, low amounts could still be an issue.
“The levels of glyphosate we found are not necessarily dangerous but are still concerning given the potential health risks,” U.S. PIRG said, USA Today reported.
Even though it is considered safe by law, the researchers wanted people to know what they were consuming anyway.
“No matter the efforts of brewers and vintners,” said Kara Cook-Schultz, author of the study. “We found that it is incredibly difficult to avoid the troubling reality that consumers will likely drink glyphosate at every happy hour and backyard barbeque around the country,” Fortune reported.
Barbecue ribs, pulled pork and a cold Budweiser. Saturdays finest choices at Dave’s Sticky Pig. #BBQlife pic.twitter.com/sufgsKob4D
— Ben Trockman (@BTrockman) June 11, 2016
A spokesperson for the Beer Institute told USA Today that they work closely with the farmers to ensure safety.
“Our members work with farmers who go to great lengths to raise their crops sustainably and safely,” said the spokesman. “The results of the most recent federal testing showed farmers’ use of glyphosate falls well below federal limits,” USA Today reported.
The guys behind @TavistockHopCo have big hopes for their upstart hops farm. Story in @WR_Record Wednesday #CraftBeer pic.twitter.com/mQKvOJaS01
— Greg Mercer (@MercerRecord) May 3, 2016
Reading reports from the Hop Growers Convention. Something to consider: countries like Japan, for example, refocusing on starting farms, growing hops, relying less on imports. @BrewersStats #craftbeer pic.twitter.com/sLJRPKwfks
— Japan Beer Times (@JapanBeerTimes) January 26, 2018
The spokesperson for the Wine Institute tried to give reassurance that the amount of glyphosate in beer and wine is safer than the minimum standards stipulated by the EPA.
“An adult would have to drink more than 140 glasses of wine a day containing the highest glyphosate level measured just to reach the level that California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has identified as ‘No Significant Risk Level,’” wrote the Wine Institute spokesperson, who gave a written statement to USA Today.
Bayer AG refuted the study with their own statement.
“Assuming the greatest value reported, 51.4 ppb, is correct, a 125-pound adult would have to consume 308 gallons of wine per day, every day for life to reach the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s glyphosate exposure limit for humans,” William Reeves, a toxicologist for Bayer, told USA Today. “To put 308 gallons into context, that would be more than a bottle of wine every minute, for life, without sleeping.”
