Bayer’s new formulation of Roundup herbicide has sparked significant alarm among health and environmental advocates. According to a recent analysis by Friends of the Earth, the updated Roundup products are now 45 times more toxic to human health than their predecessors.

This revelation comes on the fiftieth anniversary of Roundup’s release, marking a controversial milestone for the widely used weedkiller.

New Chemicals Replace Glyphosate

In an effort to address the mounting lawsuits linking glyphosate, the original active ingredient in Roundup, to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Bayer announced in 2023 that it would remove glyphosate from its consumer products. However, The New Lede reports that instead of eliminating glyphosate entirely, Bayer has introduced four new chemicals: diquat dibromide, fluazifop-P-butyl, triclopyr, and imazapic.

These substitutes pose greater health risks, with diquat dibromide being 200 times more toxic than glyphosate, Friends of the Earth reports.

Environmental Impact of New Formulations

The environmental repercussions of Bayer’s new Roundup formulations are equally troubling. The replacement chemicals not only endanger human health but also pose significant threats to wildlife and ecosystems.

About Lawsuits reports that these new ingredients are more persistent in the environment, increasing the likelihood of contaminating groundwater and harming aquatic life. Additionally, studies have shown that these chemicals are more toxic to bees, birds, and earthworms, which are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

Bayer's Response to the Toxicity Claims

As the New Lede reports, Bayer has contested the findings of the Friends of the Earth report, labeling the analysis as “deeply flawed”. In a statement, the company emphasized that all active ingredients in Roundup products have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Bayer maintains that consumers can safely use Roundup as directed, despite the concerns raised by environmental groups and ongoing litigation.

Calls for Regulatory Reform

Health experts and environmentalists are calling for stricter regulatory oversight to prevent companies like Bayer from introducing more hazardous chemicals without adequate warnings. As Common Dreams, environmental advocates are urging the EPA to mandate ingredient-specific safety warnings and to require pesticide manufacturers to develop safer alternatives. They argue that without significant policy changes, consumers will remain unaware of the increased risks associated with new Roundup formulations.

The shift in Roundup’s chemical composition underscores a broader issue of corporate responsibility and regulatory oversight in the pesticide industry. As evidence mounts regarding the heightened toxicity of Bayer’s new formulations, the call for transparency and stricter safety standards grows louder.

Consumers, health professionals, and environmental advocates alike are demanding immediate action to safeguard public health and the environment from the dangers posed by these potent herbicides.

Click below to tell Bayer to replace its harmful products with those that do not pose health risks to humans and the environment!