Skip to content

Corn Flakes maker phasing out grain sprayed with Roundup

The company has announced plans to phase out glyphosate in major markets, including Canada and the United States by 2025
breakfast-565270_1280
(Pixabay)

The use of glyphosate on crops took it on the chin last month when cereal giant Kellogg’s announced a phasing out the use of grains where the chemical was used.

Glyphosate, commonly known by the trade name Roundup, is widely used as a pre-harvest spray to ensure the grains are all ripe for combining.

The $13.5 billion company announced plans to phase out glyphosate in major markets, including Canada and the United States by 2025.

“Kellogg does not own or operate farms, and we have been engaging with our suppliers about pesticide use, including desiccation with glyphosate, in our ingredient supply chains since before 2017,” Kellogg said. 

“We know that some consumers have questions about the use of the herbicide glyphosate as a drying agent a few weeks before harvest, particularly with wheat and oats. This practice is done by some farmers in certain circumstances — like harvesting the crop more quickly if weather is challenging.

“Although this practice is not widespread in our wheat and oat supply chains, we are working with our suppliers to phase out using glyphosate as pre-harvest drying agent in our wheat and oat supply chain in our major markets, including the U.S., by the end of 2025.”

The company is working with farmers to invest in programs to develop conservation practices and best pest management.

Tabbed by the World Health Organization cancer research units in 2017 as a possible cancer causing chemical, glyphosate has become controversial.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging cancer was caused by the chemical. Settlement of lawsuits may cost Bayer $8 billion to $10 billion.

Farmers in the U.S. spray 250 million pounds a year of glyphosate on crops.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks