Laboratory test results conducted by the Africa Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) revealed that residues of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid, are present in staple foods in South Africa.
According to the ACB, these chemicals are present in maize meal, wheat flower, bread and infant cereals.
The ACB has written a letter to John Steenhuizen, Minister of Agriculture, requesting the deregistration and prohibition of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides under Act 36 of 1947.
The organisation details reasons in a report, that disallowing the chemical, is part of risk-management measures under National Environment Management Act (NEMA).
They want the Minister to act through the Registrar under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds and Agricultural Remedies Act 36 of 1947, and the NEMA, to deregister glyphosate, as an active ingredient and disallow its sale.
The organisation wants the Minister to also ban the use of glyphosate on staple crops, and issue public advisories regarding the chemical in baby foods.
In addition, they demand a phase out timeframe for the chemical.
The ACB also said in the letter, their latest findings mean millions of South Africans face “chronic, low-level dietary exposure to a probable human carcinogen and endocrine disruptor.”
Food manufacturers refute the ACB claims.
Premier FMCG claim ingredients used comply with current South African law and are regarded as safe.
Pioneer Foods/Bokomo said their food is reformulated, such as ProNutro, to ensure it contains no GM maize or soya.
CropLife SA said the claims are neither pragmatic nor scientific, stating that if herbicide label instructions are followed, traces below legal Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), do not cause clinical harm.
Previously CropLife, published an article revealing that bread in South Africa contains 2 mg to 4 mg glyphosate per loaf. “A person would need to eat 20 to 40 loaves of bread per day to be harmed.”
In a statement, CropLife SA’s Rod Bell, advocates for the responsible, legal use of glyphosate, under Act 36 of 1947.
He also warned against the chemical’s illegal, off-label aerial application.
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