September 19, 2018

This post was created in partnership with MegaFood ®.  

When California jurors unanimously decided that glyphosate played a role in a school groundskeeper’s non-Hodgkins lymphoma, that verdict rocked the world. Countries from South America to Vietnam have now issued statements about the world’s most widely used weedkiller and a lot of consumers and retailers are now asking, “What’s next?”

But first things first, what is glyphosate?

Glyphosate has been the go-to weed killer for use on genetically engineered, or GMO, crops since the mid-1990s, when genetically engineered corn and soybeans were first introduced.

“Human exposure to glyphosate, a chemical widely found in weed killers, has increased approximately 500 percent since the introduction of genetically modified crops,” according to a new report from the University of California San Diego Health.

Professor Miguel A. Altieri of the University of California, Berkeley who looked into unforeseen risks that might be associated with genetically engineered crops and these chemicals being sprayed on them had the following to say:

“Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide (i.e. it is absorbed into and moves through the whole plant), and is carried into the harvested parts of plants. Exactly how much glyphosate is present in the seeds of corn or soybeans (genetically engineered to withstand this chemical) is not known, as grain products are not included in conventional market surveys for pesticide residues. The fact that this and other herbicides are known to accumulate in fruits…raises questions about food safety, especially now that more than 37 million pounds of this herbicide are used annually in the United States alone. Even in the absence of immediate (acute) effects, it might take 40 years for a potential carcinogen to act in enough people for it to be detected as a cause. Moreover, research has shown that glyphosate seems to act in a similar fashion to antibiotics by altering soil biology rendering bean plants more vulnerable to disease”.

Consumers and government agencies around the world have questioned it, ever since the World Health Organization declared it a probable carcinogen in 2015. And now, with recent news surrounding glyphosate traces being found in common cereals (as well as the Johnson verdict), more and more people and organizations are taking a stand. Thankfully, one of my favorite brands, MegaFood® is leading this important movement by promising the highest-quality supplements.

The company is so committed to quality, safety and purity above all, to provide customers with the most authentic nourishment possible that they are the first supplement brand to have its entire line certified Glyphosate Residue Free by The Detox Project, an independent research and certification organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the public by testing consumer goods and food products for toxic chemicals.

It is because of all of this that I am so excited to be giving away one of their newest products, their gummy vitamins. Not only are these delicious adult gummies made from real, whole foods (you can even see the real foods in each gummy) and contain only 2 grams of sugar or less, but they’ve gone the extra mile, making sure this product line is glyphosate-residue free, just like their entire supplement line. On top of that, their gummies don’t include any weird stuff. They are free from:

• High-fructose corn syrup
• Gelatin
• Artificial flavorings or colorings
• Preservatives
• Gluten, dairy, or soy

It’s a big deal. Glyphosate is the number one herbicide used in the United States, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has linked its use to lymphoma. Nearly 75% of all glyphosate was sprayed in the last ten years.

And while jurors in San Francisco reached a verdict, it may take decades for all of the information to come to light. It did with the tobacco industry. In the meantime, head on over to my Facebook page and leave a comment as to why you are opting out of glyphosate and want to win four of MegaFood’s fantastic new gummy products!

We have a lot on our plates as moms and as parents. In light of the growing controversy around this ingredient, I don’t think glyphosate shouldn’t be one of them.

Don’t forget to share your inspiration to opt out of glyphosate on my Facebook page for a chance to win MegaFood’s glyphosate residue free vitamins.

This post was created in partnership with MegaFood. I’m proud to work with brands that I not only use every day but that also care about the health of its consumers and the planet. As always, all opinions and text are my own.