Leading agrochemical company Bayer has reached a settlement of $6.9 million with the New York attorney general’s office, following allegations of false and misleading claims regarding the safety of their popular weedkiller, Roundup, Your Content has learned.
The settlement, announced on Thursday, addresses concerns over the company’s advertising practices, specifically their claims that Roundup products were safe and harmless, despite containing the potentially toxic ingredient glyphosate.
The advertising also stated that the product posed no threat to animal wildlife, which violated a previous settlement reached between the New York state Office of the Attorney General and Monsanto, the parent company of Bayer CropScience LP.
Attorney General Letitia James emphasized the importance of transparency in pesticide companies, particularly when it comes to protecting the environment and vital species like pollinators.
In her statement, she highlighted the potential harm that pesticides can cause and the need for responsible product use. Bayer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Under the terms of the settlement, the substantial funds paid by Bayer and Monsanto will be utilized to address the environmental impacts of toxic pesticides.
Additionally, the companies are required to promptly remove or cease any advertisements that misrepresent Roundup products containing glyphosate as harmless, nontoxic, or devoid of risks to pollinators and other wildlife.
It is worth noting that Bayer has faced numerous lawsuits over the years, with claims alleging that Roundup causes cancer.
Glyphosate, the key ingredient in their weedkiller, has faced scrutiny since the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, classified it as a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015, according NBC 15.