“Since the federal government has failed to curb the overreliance of glyphosate and 2,4-D, mandatory GMO labeling is essential so that consumers can know whether they are buying GMO foods that rely heavily on these toxic herbicides,” Kustin said.
On March 20, the International Agency for Research on Cancer said 2,4-D is likely to be carcinogenic to humans based on a review of the evidence.
However, in April, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved 2,4-D, one of the two active ingredients in a toxic weed-killing cocktail produced by Dow AgroSciences, for use in 15 states.
‘When the EPA approved Enlist Duo for use on GMO crops, the agency did not consider the effects the two harmful defoliants may have on human health when mixed together,” the EWG, which advocates for public health and corporate accountability, said in the press release.
Like glyphosate, 2,4-D has been linked to such human health dangers as a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, immune system problems and hypothyroidism, according to the EWG.
Manufacturers are required to label foods containing GMO ingredients in over 60 countries. In the United States and Canada, GMO labeling is not mandatory.
