A recent Cornell study published this month in Environmental Pollution found that glyphosate, an active herbicidal ingredient used in weedkillers like Roundup, is present at low levels in a range of cat and dog foods. The amounts are considered to be safe to humans but are they safe for cats and dogs when exposed for a long time? A man received $289m in damages from Monsanto when he contracted cancer from using Roundup.

Herbicide is ‘mobile’

The research is part of a wider program to reassess the “mobility” of glyphosate. I understand this to mean that these herbicides can find their way into various products through watercourses etc. Once you put chemicals onto crops they don’t just stay on the crops. They get into the groundwater and can end up in the sea for example.

The researchers visited a pet store and a retail outlet at which they selected bags of cat and dog foods from major brands. They were all mixtures of vegetable and meat ingredients. One product was certified GMO-free (GM): genetically modified organism). The researchers found that all of the products contained glyphosate at various concentrations ranging from about 80-2000 µg per kilogram.

Don’t know the long term risk

We’re told that there is not enough information to know what effect low dosages of glyphosate can have on domestic animals. Researchers used human acceptable daily intake guidelines. They estimated that the “median dog exposure” would be 0.7% of the US glyphosate limit set for humans.

They were unable to isolate the product or crops that were the source of the contamination. Glyphosate can be used for spraying on crops. The evidence suggests that the contamination comes from plant material.

I mentioned above that one product was stated as being free of genetically modified organisms. Glyphosate was detected at a higher level in this product. The finding indicates that it is a challenge to keep feedstocks uncontaminated even in the GMO-free market.

Concerning?

Should cat and dog owners be concerned? Americans know that glyphosate is now in pet foods. There does no appear to be an immediate risk but there is uncertainty about the impact that low doses over time might have on companion animals.

They concluded that it is hard to find a product that does not have glyphosate in it. Dosage is an important concept in poisoning. I would be concerned because chronic exposure to low dosage in a small animal such as a domestic cat may be problematic. This dangerous chemical should not be pet food so the process is going badly wrong.

Source: PHYS ORG.

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