Monsanto is Being Sued for Misleading the Public About the Dangers of Roundup

On April 10, 2017, two nonprofit organizations, Beyond Pesticides and Organic Consumers Association (OCA), filed a lawsuit on behalf of the general public in Washington, D.C. under the District’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act. They are suing Monsanto for misleading the public by improperly labeling its popular weed killing herbicide, Roundup, which says that it is “targeting an enzyme found in plants, but not in people or pets.” In the lawsuit, the organizations claim that the statements on the Roundup label are “false, deceptive and misleading.”

What is the problem with Roundup?

Roundup is a chemical herbicide. It is used in commercial agriculture and by home gardeners to kill weeds without damaging the plants they want to live. The active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate, which has been linked to cancer in people with extensive exposure. Specifically, glyphosate has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

The plaintiffs claim in the lawsuit that the enzyme that glyphosate targets can be found in people and in pets, and they claim that Monsanto has garnered massive profits because of the false claims that the product is safe for people and pets. (After all, consumers who are looking for a solution for killing weeds in their yard are less likely to purchase a product that contains a skull-and-crossbones warning on it.) They are seeking the profits from Roundup to be deposited into a community fund to be established for the benefit of the public to raise awareness about the effects of glyphosate.

Suing Monsanto

While this particular lawsuit against Monsanto is for false and misleading labeling, other lawsuits against the agri-business giant are product liability lawsuits filed by individuals who have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Those who used Roundup for extended periods of time, whether it was homeowners who wanted to kill weeds in their backyard gardens or farmers and farm workers who were exposed to Roundup in commercial agriculture operations, and who have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma may be able to take legal action against Monsanto to recover damages for their injuries. An experienced mass torts lawyer can protect your rights as a consumer.

With McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, by your side, you can feel confident about fighting back against giant corporations that profit at the expense of consumer health and safety. If you or a loved one has suffered harm because of a dangerous or defective product, you are welcome to contact us or call us today at 803-327-7800 for a free case review. We level the playing field for you.