Page 7 - Today's Dietitian (March 2020)

Ask the Expert By Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND

The Debate on Dunn emphasizes that all pesticides, asserts is associated with carcinogenic

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Glyphosate including glyphosate, undergo exten- effects). The EPA has established
sive safety tests before going to market.
tolerances for glyphosate on a wide
“Leading health authorities around the range of crops, ranging from 0.1 to 310
My clients are asking whether the world have repeatedly concluded that parts per million. In 2016–2017, 879 corn,
Q herbicide glyphosate poses a risk glyphosate can be used safely and is not soybean, milk, and egg samples were
to human health and the environment. a carcinogen, based on more than 800 tested for glyphosate and glufosinate (a
What does the science say? safety studies submitted to regulators.” naturally occurring herbicide) residue;
A: There has been much media coverage Accordingly, as of 2019, the US Environ- approximately 59% of the corn and soy
on glyphosate, especially surrounding mental Protection Agency (EPA) states samples tested positive for residues of
several successful multimillion-dollar that, when used as directed, glyphosate glyphosate and/or glufosinate, but all
lawsuits against Monsanto Company doesn’t pose a risk to human health and were below the EPA’s tolerance levels. 7
(acquired by Bayer in 2018) for the man- isn’t carcinogenic. 3 Currey says glyphosate residue ends
ufacture of the allegedly carcinogenic up in many foods and that levels have
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glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup. Environmental Health increased over time.
Glyphosate opponents point to its nega- Dunn, however, claims that traces of
Use tive impacts on soil’s microbial commu- glyphosate rarely occur; she says when
Glyphosate is an herbicide designed nities, wildlife, and plants. Currey says glyphosate reaches the roots of a plant,
to kill a wide range of invasive and glyphosate can harm the environment, it binds tightly to the soil and is broken
sometimes toxic weeds and grasses in especially when mixed with other ingre- down by microorganisms, so it doesn’t
both agricultural and nonagricultural dients, a combination sold commercially run off into crops and other plants not
applications. Several salt forms of as glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs). being targeted. Occasionally, minute
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glyphosate, such as potassium and Because of their broad applicability, they traces of glyphosate will end up in food
isopropylamine, are used to regulate kill the majority of plants they come into but are nontoxic to humans.
plant growth and ripen certain crops. contact with, including those to which
It’s been used globally for more than 40 GBHs are directly applied and those Recommendations for Clients
years and is the most commonly used exposed through drift as the wind car- Dietetics professionals should avoid cre-
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herbicide in the world. ries the herbicide, which directly harms ating food fear in clients and remind
S. Eliza Dunn, MD, FACMT, medi- the environment. Roundup and other them that there are strict regulations in
cal affairs lead for the regulatory scien- GBHs also have a strong synergistic tox- place for herbicides. However, if consum-
tific affairs team at Bayer Crop Science, icity with other environmental toxins ers prefer to further limit their expo-
which owns the patent for Roundup and such as arsenic, resulting in harm to sure to glyphosate, Currey says they can
glyphosate, explains that, in agricul- nearby wildlife. minimize their exposure by choosing
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ture, weeds steal sunlight, water, and Conversely, Dunn says “regulatory certified organic products, which don’t
nutrients from crops and can be toxic authorities conduct comprehensive contain glyphosate. n
to humans and animals. However, other evaluations to ensure pesticides can be
agriculture experts suggest that using used safely for the environment.” She Toby Amidor, MS, RD,
glyphosate represents a reductionist argues that glyphosate can help the CDN, FAND, is the founder
view of weed control and that there are environment by keeping soils healthy of Toby Amidor Nutrition
other mechanisms less harmful to the and reducing carbon emissions. Dunn (http://tobyamidornutrition.
agro-ecosystem than the use of glypho- says glyphosate also is compatible with com) and a Wall Street
sate, to which they claim weeds are more environmentally friendly farming Journal best-selling author.
becoming more resistant. practices such as conservation tillage, Her cookbooks include
which can increase soil organic matter, Smart Meal Prep for
Human Health preserve soil health and moisture, Beginners, The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy
The International Agency for Research improve water quality, provide habitat Cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook,
on Cancer categorizes glyphosate as for wildlife, reduce soil erosion and The Greek Yogurt Kitchen, and the upcoming
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“probably carcinogenic,” but lawsuits compaction, and decrease fuel use and The Best Rotisserie Chicken Cookbook and
against Monsanto/Bayer have associ- greenhouse gas emissions. The Create-Your-Plate Diabetes Cookbook.
ated glyphosate-based Roundup with the She’s a nutrition expert for FoodNetwork.
development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma Presence in Food com and a contributor to U.S. News Eat +
in particular. Glyphosate is banned in Several years ago, the Environmental Run and Muscle&Fitness.com.
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Colombia, El Salvador, Belgium, and Working Group (EWG) conducted tests
Austria. Robin Currey, PhD, director of for glyphosate in 28 samples of wheat,
sustainable food systems at Prescott Col- corn, and oat foods. All came back For references, view this article on our
website at www.TodaysDietitian.com.
lege in Prescott, Arizona, says that some positive for glyphosate residue, with Send your questions to Ask the Expert at
evidence links glyphosate exposure to 26 of 28 being above the EWG’s limit TDeditor@gvpub.com or send a tweet to
certain types of cancer but that the level of 160 parts per billion (a lower limit @tobyamidor.
at which harm occurs is unclear. than that of the EPA but one the EWG
MARCH 2020 • WWW.TODAYSDIETITIAN.COM 7