The Roundup Rabbit Hole: What Are We Eating?
Do you ever feel like you're the last to know everything?
Even though we know pesticides are bad. Organic is better. Wash your produce. Blah blah blah. But how bad is it?
Does organic food use pesticides? What are the long-term effects of ingesting pesticides? Is it as simple as rinsing produce with water? Who approves pesticides? Does Europe use the same pesticides? And what does "organic" really mean?
The questions don’t stop there.
The scary part: the answers.
Let me take you on a journey down the Roundup rabbit hole.
Have you heard of Roundup?
You can find it at your local Home Depot or Lowe's—a product to spray on your lawn and make those pesky dandelions disappear. But homeowners aren’t the only ones using this product. Roundup and its active ingredient, glyphosate, have become a cornerstone of industrial farming.
The Blissful Ignorance of Convenience
Here we are, with information at our fingertips. So where's the outrage? Where are the swarms of people with pitchforks and signs demanding change?
We’re at home. We’re not outraged. We’re living in ignorance and bliss, running our apples under the faucet before slicing them up for our kids. This isn’t to blame us as consumers—after all, we trust that our food is grown ethically and with our health in mind. But we are responsible for our own choices.
Yet, in the chaos of modern life—amid the flood of terms like toxic, non-GMO, organic—it’s overwhelming to even know where to begin.
Let me break it down.
Farming: A Business, First and Foremost
Farming, like most industries, is a business with one primary goal: profit.
The product Roundup is a herbicide, a type of pesticide designed to kill weeds and grasses. Its main ingredient, glyphosate, kills plants indiscriminately.
So how does it not destroy the crops we grow to eat?
Enter genetic modification.
Scientists developed “Roundup Ready” crops—genetically engineered plants that can survive being sprayed with glyphosate. These GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) have been part of the U.S. food supply since 1994, gaining widespread use by 2015 (Britannica).
Glyphosate: The Chemical We Can’t Escape
Since its introduction, an estimated 9.4 million tons of glyphosate have been sprayed worldwide, according to a study in Environmental Sciences Europe. This chemical doesn’t just stay on the fields where it’s applied—it can drift onto neighboring organic farms and contaminate other crops.
Health Concerns: The Unanswered Questions
The research on glyphosate is highly contested. Regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have largely deemed it safe when used as directed. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015, based on studies showing links to cancer in animals and limited evidence in humans.
Other concerns include glyphosate's potential role in:
Endocrine disruption (hormonal imbalances).
Gut microbiome health.
Reproductive outcomes (such as fertility issues)
In the U.S., glyphosate remains widely used, while countries like Vietnam and Luxembourg have banned it entirely. Meanwhile, Germany is phasing it out, and France has heavily restricted its use. (OrganicVoice.com)
“Everything is toxic—what’s new?”
It’s easy to throw up your hands in frustration. As millennials, we’re grappling with rising rates of anxiety, depression, autoimmune diseases, obesity, and fertility issues. Could glyphosate be a piece of this puzzle? Maybe. Maybe not. But do we really want to wait for another decade—or generation—to find out?
So What Now?
Here’s what we can do:
1. Buy organic when possible. Organic farmers are restricted in the types of pesticides they can use. While organic produce isn’t entirely pesticide-free, the chemicals approved for use are typically derived from natural sources and are more tightly regulated. (USDA Organic Standards)
2. Wash your produce thoroughly. Rinsing with water can remove surface residues, but for waxy or thicker-skinned produce, consider using a baking soda or vinegar solution.
3. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy, steering clear of processed foods, which are often loaded with glyphosate-contaminated ingredients like corn, soy, and oats.
At the end of the day, farming practices are shaped by consumer demand. By making informed choices and prioritizing organic, whole foods, we send a clear message to the industry. We can’t afford to be guinea pigs in this experiment anymore.
This is your journey down the Roundup rabbit hole. It’s not about pitchforks or protests—it’s about taking small, intentional steps toward healthier habits for ourselves and our families.
References:
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2015). Glyphosate classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans".
Environmental Sciences Europe. (2016). Trends in glyphosate use worldwide.
Britannica. (n.d.). Genetically modified organisms.
OrganicVoice.com. (n.d.). Understanding the glyphosate debate.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Organic farming practices.
