Just Label It News Roundup 8-31

A new survey has reinforced a point that many that follow agriculture know- many Americans have serious concerns about genetically modified foods. Nearly half of U.S. consumers avoid them, even though many of the concerned consumers know little or nothing about GMO foods. A new report shows cancer-linked herbicide glyphosate, manufactured by Monsanto in their Roundup product, present in 45 products including granola, snack bars and Cheerios. There are now around 8,000 U.S. lawsuits brought against Bayer’s newly acquired Monsanto, as the German drug maker braces for years of legal wrangling over alleged cancer risks of glyphosate-based weed killers. An upcoming glyphosate cases is making the news this week – a French tomato grower with cancer has taken Monsanto to court over the weed killer. A study of more than 1 million pregnancies in Finland reports that elevated levels of a metabolite of the banned insecticide DDT in the blood of pregnant women is linked to increased risk for autism in the children. Another new study, demonstrates that the risks of genetically engineering trees are too great and can never fully be known. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called upon the Food and Drug Administration should publish its two-year-long review of a cancer-causing chemical found in breakfast foods. Shares of Bayer plunged to a seven-year low due to concerns about the potential costs of a protracted legal battle over Roundup weed killer. General Mills will drop the “Made with 100% Natural Whole Grain Oats” label from its Nature Valley Granola Bars after settling a lawsuit brought by three nonprofit consumer groups alleging that the bars contained weed killer. Wine makers in West Texas are reeling from herbicide drift that damaged their grapevines, an emerging threat to the state’s $13 billion a year industry. Health officials announced Monday, that customers who received free popcorn at a Muscle Shoals, Alabama store Sunday afternoon may have been exposed to an herbicide.

Weedkiller found in wide range of breakfast foods aimed at children

Cancer-linked herbicide, sold as Roundup by Monsanto, present in 45 products including granola, snack bars and Cheerios.

Million Pregnancies Study Shows DDT Insecticide Linked to Autism in Children

A study of more than 1 million pregnancies in Finland reports that elevated levels of a metabolite of the banned insecticide DDT in the blood of pregnant women are linked to increased risk for autism in the children.

French tomato grower with cancer takes on Monsanto over weedkiller

Weaving through the aisles of his greenhouse in northern France, Jean-Claude Terlet, a retired farmer who grows tomatoes for local markets, seems to be brimming with energy.

Long-Term Risks of GE Trees Remain Unanswered- good but just in the news roundup

In an apparent effort to allay serious public and scientific concerns about contamination threats from genetically engineered (GE) trees, on Aug. 3 researchers at Oregon State University claimed they had genetically engineered sterility into poplar trees. The real story of the study, however, is that the risks of genetically engineering trees are too great and can never fully be known.

Schumer calls on FDA to publish its report on weed-killing chemical found in breakfast foods

The Food and Drug Administration should publish its two-year-long review of a cancer-causing chemical found in breakfast foods, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday. The chemical, glyphosate, primarily used as a weed killer, was listed as a probable cancer-causing carcinogen by the World Health Organization in 2015.

Bayer shares drop after Monsanto loses Roundup cancer trial

Shares of Bayer plunged by the most in almost seven years on concern about the potential costs of a protracted legal battle over Roundup weed killer, the cornerstone product of newly acquired Monsanto.

Nearly half of consumers avoid GMO foods, survey says

A new survey reinforces what most people in agriculture already know: Many Americans have serious concerns about GMO foods, with nearly half of U.S. consumers avoiding them, even though many of the concerned consumers know little or nothing about genetically modified food.

Nature Valley drops ‘100% Natural’ label after allegations of weed-killer in products

General Mills will drop the “Made with 100% Natural Whole Grain Oats” label from its Nature Valley Granola Bars after settling a lawsuit brought by three nonprofit consumer groups alleging that the bars contained weed-killer.

West Texas Vineyards Hit by Herbicide Drift

Winemakers in West Texas are reeling from herbicide drift injuries on their grapevines, an emerging threat to the state’s $13 billion a year industry.

Bayer’s Monsanto faces 8,000 lawsuits on glyphosate

The number of U.S. lawsuits brought against Bayer’s newly acquired Monsanto has jumped to about 8,000, as the German drugmaker braces for years of legal wrangling over alleged cancer risks of glyphosate-based weedkillers.

Herbicide found in popcorn given away at Alabama store, health officials say

People who got free popcorn at a Muscle Shoals, Alabama, store Sunday afternoon may have been exposed to an herbicide, health officials announced Monday. The herbicide called glyphosate was accidentally mixed in with popcorn oil used at Rural King Store, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Officials said anyone who ate the popcorn at the store between 2:30-3:45 p.m. Sunday should contact their doctor or local emergency room if they’re showing any symptoms. Symptoms include increased saliva, burns in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

General Mills Faces Class Action Lawsuit over Cheerios Glyphosate Cover Up

General Mills is facing a potentially damaging class action lawsuit in the U.S. after a Florida woman accused it of engaging in deceptive business practices, by not alerting the public that their Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios cereals contain the known carcinogen and the world’s most used weedkilller – glyphosate.