Ben And Jerry’s Faces Boycott When Weed Killer Is Found In Ice Cream
Oh No!!!! Everyone’s favorite ice cream with a zillion flavors faces boycott threats after a new study uncovers a major ingredient in weed killers in their ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s, a brand famous for its quality and eco-friendly practices is under fire after a test uncovered a controversial ingredient in its ice cream. The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) found glyphosate, the main ingredient in weed killers like Roundup in 10 out of 11 samples of the company’s ice cream flavors, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. While the levels of glyphosate were well below the legal limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Organic Consumers Association argues that any presence of the pesticide product is misleading and potentially dangerous.
“It’s time for Ben & Jerry’s to announce it will immediately begin transitioning to 100-percent organic,” using zero pesticides in production, the OCA said in a post on its website. “Otherwise conscious consumers have no choice but to launch a national and, if necessary, international protest campaign and boycott.”
The OCA has called for Ben & Jerry’s to stop labeling its ice creams as “natural” because the brand’s dairy cows consume genetically-engineered corn (the brand told the Times that it is working to find all-natural alternatives). Add-ins, such as peanut butter or cookie dough, containing ingredients that have been sprayed with the weed killer may also be the source of the glyphosate in the ice creams, according to the Times.
The question of if glyphosate is dangerous to consume is still hotly debated. While the World Health Organization said in 2015 that the weed killer was “probably carcinogenic,” Reuters reported in June that scientific data may not fully back that claim.
Despite the continued debate, many customers simply do not want to have an herbicide ingredient in their food. Soon after the Times published its article on the OCA’s ice cream test, the brand began receiving complaints and boycott threats on social media.
#”You are my favorite ice cream brand, but I CANNOT buy your ice cream again until it no longer comes up positive for MONSANTO’S GLYPHOSATE,” one person wrote on the brand’s Facebook page, referring to Roundup’s maker and leading G.M.O. seed producer, Monsanto.
Ben & Jerry’s, which was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield (who the OCA calls “two affable hippies”) in 1978, did not immediately return Business Insider’s request for comment. The company has long had a reputation for advocating for the environment and social justice, even after its acquisition by consumer goods giant Unilever in 2001.
Pesticides Seem To Creep Into Everything We Now Consume, Even Ben and Jerry’s! OMG!
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
Personally living in Burlington, Vermont in 1978 when Ben and Jerry (and yes, they are two old hippies) started their ice cream business from an abandoned corner gas station, I feel if they still have anything to say about their company, they will force the necessary changes. If they completely sold out, it may be viewed by Unilever as collateral damage on the customers they lose.
Five of Wands: Inverted (Upside Down)
This is about arguments both internally and externally. Since pulled inverted, this shows it will be a tough change to correct the problem and fought all the way due to the expense.
Death:
This is the old dying away and transforming into something new. I see this as a good card to pull in this situation. Shows hope they may just pitch the corrupted way of making the ice cream and stick to the original plan of the makers, just pure and fresh ice cream.
Six of Pentacles:
This is sharing of love and gifts. I believe so many people love this ice cream and will probably continue to buy it no matter what.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.