Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that kills certain weeds. Glyphosate works by blocking enzymes necessary for plant growth. The product is primarily used in agriculture, but is also used in forestry and lawn and garden care.

What is the FDA's role in regulating glyphosate and pesticides in general?

Traces of pesticides or pesticide chemical residues may remain in or on certain crops after harvest. The FDA is responsible for ensuring that pesticide chemical residues on domestic and imported foods do not exceed LIMITS set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is the role of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in regulating pesticides, especially glyphosate?

EPA evaluates pesticides to ensure they are safe for human health and the environment when used according to label instructions. The EPA is responsible for issuing rules to establish, modify, suspend or withdraw tolerances, which are limits on chemical residues of pesticides in foods. Tolerances are set at harmless levels that provide reasonable certainty. For more information on the safety and use of Glyphosate, see the EPA website Glyphosate - Ingredients Used in Glyphosate Products.

Does EPA have standards for safe use of glyphosate?

The EPA has established glyphosate tolerance for a wide range of human and animal food crops, including corn, soybeans, oil seeds, grains, and some fruits and vegetables, ranging from 0.1 to 400 parts per million (PPM).

Are there any safety issues with glyphosate exposure?

The EPA assesses the safety of pesticides such as glyphosate. Glyphosate is of low toxicity to humans, according to the EPA. Pets may be at risk for digestive or intestinal problems if they touch or eat plants that have just been sprayed. In December 2017, as part of its glyphosate registration review, the EPA issued a draft human risk assessment of glyphosate, which concluded that it was unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans. In April 2019, THE EPA issued a decision for public comment on the proposed interim registration review of glyphosate. In January 2020, EPA issued a provisional registration review decision after considering the public comments received. EPA continues to find that glyphosate use under the current label does not pose a risk to public health.

One international organization (THE International Agency for Research on Cancer) has concluded that glyphosate is probably a carcinogen, while several others, including the European Food Safety Authority and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/ World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Conference on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) have determined that it is unlikely to be.