Is Roundup Banned?

Roundup, an herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate, isn’t banned in the U.S. In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted that there are no risks of concern to human health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label and The Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of its use hasn’t been rescinded.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, however, considers glyphosate a probable carcinogen. Research has shown potential links between high-level or prolonged glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers.

Some states have prohibited or restricted the use of Roundup on public property, including New York. Because of mounting cancer concerns, a growing number of cities and counties are banning or limiting glyphosate including municipalities in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Washington.

Continued Roundup Use in the U.S.

It’s one of the most commonly used herbicides in the country, primarily for weed control. This includes crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton, as well as residential areas, parks and golf courses.

Despite concerns about glyphosate, an overwhelming majority of soybean and corn plants in the U.S. today are glyphosate-resistant, and farmers use Roundup to control weeds. However, pressure is mounting for the government to join other countries in banning glyphosate-based herbicides, including Roundup.

Roundup gained its popularity in the mid-1990s with the introduction of genetically modified seeds that survive when treated with glyphosate. This allowed farmers to indiscriminately apply glyphosate in their fields to selectively kill weeds without harming crops.

What Groups Are Pushing for a U.S. Glyphosate Ban?

A number of groups are actively involved in research and public awareness campaigns about the herbicide’s dangers. Concerns are growing about glyphosate residue on food and its negative impact on human health.

Consumers and advocacy groups have filed more than 125,000 lawsuits against glyphosate manufacturers.For example, Edwin Hardeman’s lawsuit in ongoing multidistrict litigation claims Monsanto and parent company Bayer knew about potential health risks but failed to warn consumers. One high-profile lawsuit involved Dewayne Johnson, a former school groundskeeper who claimed his Roundup exposure caused terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A jury awarded Johnson $289 million in damages.

In 2020, Bayer resolved nearly 75% of the cases with a $10.9 billion settlement, but CEO Werner Baumann said the settlement was aimed at managing litigation risk rather than addressing safety concerns. As of August 2023, 4,222 Roundup lawsuits are pending. Plaintiffs seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering and other damages.

Several countries have restricted or banned the use of glyphosate because of its link to an increased risk of cancer. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in a number of herbicides, including Roundup.

Additional countries are debating bans or restrictions of glyphosate. Germany implemented glyphosate legislation to end its use completely by 2024.

Recent studies, court judgments and lawsuit settlements underscore the need for continued scientific research, regulatory scrutiny and public dialogue. However, cases of U.S. officials pressuring other countries, such as Mexico, to drop a glyphosate ban don’t raise confidence in the possibility of a U.S. Roundup ban.

Chief among the concerns is the link between Roundup and cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a specialized agency of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen.”

Studies also suggest potential adverse effects of glyphosate include disruption of endocrine systems, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and damage to the liver and kidneys. Glyphosate can also contaminate water bodies and soil.

The EPA has concluded that glyphosate is not likely to cause cancer when used according to label instructions. Although other regulatory agencies around the world support this stance, researchers question the non-peer-reviewed studies the EPA uses to support its position.

In a bid to avoid future litigation, Bayer announced it would discontinue the sale of glyphosate-based herbicides for U.S. residential use sometime in 2023. As of August 2023, Roundup products featuring glyphosate are still available online and in retail stores such as Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon continue to stock and sell products containing glyphosate.

The company said it also plans to reformulate its glyphosate-based residential herbicides under the Roundup brand, although it has not revealed which active ingredient it plans to use. In the meantime, there are safer Roundup alternatives considered to be better for human health and the environment.

Organic herbicides made from natural ingredients such as citric acid, vinegar and plant oils are significantly safer than glyphosate. Natural weed suppressants such as corn gluten meal, which inhibits weed seed germination, are also safer. Practices such as mulching, weed flaming and steam weeding can safely control weeds. Research is also ongoing on biopesticides and robotic weeders for commercial applications.