Statement from As You Sow on New Study Finding Glyphosate, the World’s Most Common Weed Killer, in Sperm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Sophia Wilson, [email protected], (341) 600-1832

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA—MAY 29, 2024—A team of scientists recently discovered glyphosate, the world’s most common weed killer, in more than 55% of sperm samples from a French infertility clinic. The study suggests a significant positive correlation between glyphosate presence in human sperm and a negative impact on reproductive health. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S. food system despite being labeled a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization in 2015.

As You Sow has been working with food companies to reduce pesticide use and eliminate glyphosate from their supply chains, but most still lack pesticide reduction goals. For example, last year Kellanova, formerly known as the Kellogg Company, went back on a previous 2025 commitment to eliminate use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant on key crops. Using glyphosate to dry crops before harvest dramatically increases harmful pesticide residue on food.

In a recent shareholder resolution, As You Sow asked Kellanova to address the adverse human health and environmental impacts associated with pesticide use in its supply chain. At the Company’s recent Annual General Meeting, held on April 26, 2024, nearly 22% of shareholders supported the proposal.   

In contrast, companies like ADM and General Mills are taking positive steps to significantly reduce glyphosate use in their supply chains to protect farmworkers, fenceline communities, farm biodiversity, and local ecosystems. It is imperative that all food companies acknowledge the growing data on glyphosate’s negative effects on human health and establish policies to eliminate the use of this highly toxic pesticide in agriculture and food production.

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As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, the Rights of Nature, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow’s shareholder resolution tracker.