How Does a Weed Killer Get into My Pet’s Food? Part 1 of 3
According to a recent report from the Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT) high levels of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round Up has been found in some pet food. They also found glyphosate in our food with highest levels occurring in cereals and legumes.
You can check out the report at http://irt-glyphosatepage.flywheelsites.com/#detox-project?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a8cfc3ac-3483-4872-a0cf-e0ee71a7983f to see how your pet food scored, but here are a few examples:
Category | Product | Glyphosate (PPB) | References |
Pet Food | Kibbles ‘n Bits Chef’s Choice American Grill | 660 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Natural Balance Small Breed Bites Dry Food Original Ultra Whole-Body Health Chicken, Chiken meal, Duck meal | 441.89 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium food for dogs/ Real Beef Brown Rice Recipe | 420.86 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Super Premium | 350 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | 9 Lives Indoor Complete | 320 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Purina Beneful Originals Adult Dry Dog Food | 293.03 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula with Life Source Bits Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Natural Food Dogs | 284.39 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Purina Cat Chow Complete | 282 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Blue Wilderness Adult High Protein Grain Free with Chicken and Lifesource Bits Dry Cat Food | 269.86 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Pet Food | Friskies Indoor Delights | 244 | HRI Labs Results, 2018 |
Even Tiny Amounts of Glyphosate Can Cause Harm
Research studies have shown that glyphosate residue on food may have damaging effects on health. Animal studies have shown:
● 0.1 Parts Per Billion (PPB) alters the gene function of over 400 genes in the liver and kidney of rats and causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease..
● 10 PPB shows toxic effects on the liver of fish.
● 700 PPB causes alterations of kidneys and liver in rats.
Peer-reviewed research indicates that glyphosate is a:
● Chelator—it binds with minerals making them unusable by the body.
● Antibiotic—it preferentially kills beneficial gut bacteria, rather than pathogenic forms. ● Endocrine disruptor—at medium and doses, it can disrupt hormones, including the sex hormone balance
● Mitochondrial toxin—potentially damaging the energy source of our cells ● Teratogen—leading to birth defects
● Probable Human Carcinogen—classified by the World Health Organization’s top cancer committee
Interpreting Glyphosate Levels in Food
High levels of glyphosate have been found in popular cereals and other foods, both in the home and in restaurants. Why does this matter? What effect does glyphosate have on us? What is the threat and what is the safe threshold for consumption?
Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Roundup, which is the most popular herbicide in the world. It is a defoliant, which means it destroys vegetation. There are also other glyphosate-based herbicides other than Roundup, though we will use the term Roundup here to refer to them all.
Although glyphosate is the main poison in herbicide formulations, it is not the only dangerous ingredient. In fact, Roundup can be 125 times more toxic than glyphosate alone. But the residue tests are designed to identify are for glyphosate alone. In some cases they also identify AMPA, which is a toxic chemical that results as glyphosate gets broken down.
When Roundup is sprayed onto crops, glyphosate enters the plant. While some is broken down or exuded through the roots, significant residues remain. Because it’s on the inside, it can’t be washed off.
Glyphosate is Sprayed on Most GMOs
More than 80% of genetically modified crops are “Roundup Ready.” They aren’t destroyed when farmers spray Roundup right over the whole field to kill the weeds. The six Roundup Ready crops are corn, soybeans, cotton (used in cottonseed oil), canola, sugar beets (used exclusively for sugar), and alfalfa. May of the derivatives of these crops are found throughout our food supply, especially in processed foods. The majority of feed consumed by most livestock in the US is from Roundup Ready crops.
Glyphosate is Used Just Before Harvest on Non-GMO crops
Non-GMO crops such as grains and beans are being sprayed with Roundup SHORTLY BEFORE harvest to kill the plants and dry it down. This lets the farmer harvest earlier — for example, in shorter growing seasons, to take advantage of higher commodity prices, or to rent harvesting equipment when it is available.
The crop is harvested promptly, before the herbicide has a chance to break down much. Significant residue can remain on the grain and get into the food supply
Reprinted from: IRT –“Glyphosate Testing Results” report
http://irt-glyphosatepage.flywheelsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Glyphosate-Report.pdf