Over-the-counter cough syrups and cough drops only mask symptoms, and that means your cough could return at any time. Instead of hoping for the best, you can use holistic treatments that target the underlying cause of even the worst coughs.
How Coughing Works
<p>Have you ever wondered what's actually going on inside the body when you make that awful coughing sound?</p><p>Here's what's really happening:</p><ol><li>You take a gasp of air.</li><li>The glottis covers the windpipe.</li><li>The respiratory muscles contract.</li><li>Pressure builds in the airway.</li><li>The glottis bursts open and…you cough!</li></ol>What Causes Coughing?
<p>Coughing happens when you need to expel an irritant or cope with symptoms of a respiratory infection.</p><p>Acute coughing is coughing that lasts less than three weeks. This includes brief coughing fits and reactions to short-term respiratory infections. Acute coughs are typically "dry," meaning there's no mucus in the airway.</p><p>Chronic coughing, however, is coughing that lasts eight weeks or longer and requires professional medical intervention. These coughs are typically "wet" and are characterized by heavy phlegm and mucus production as a response to inflammation in the lungs.</p><p>Common causes of chronic cough include:</p><ul><li>Allergies</li><li>Viral infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, cold, flu)</li><li>GERD (acid reflux disease)</li><li>Asthma</li><li>Pulmonary fibrosis</li><li>Sinus infection (due to persistent nasal drip)</li></ul><p>Chronic coughing may also be caused by a reaction to certain medications like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, which can irritate nerve endings in the throat.</p>5 Home Remedies for Cough
<p>From therapeutic essential oils to immune-boosting foods, here are five of the top natural remedies for cough:</p><p><strong>1. Essential Oils</strong></p><p><a href="Essential oils">Essential oils</a> are extracted from the roots, stems, flowers, and leaves of various medicinal plants. Most essential oils have a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which can be ideal for fighting infection and treating the underlying causes of coughing.</p><p>Some essential oils, however, can also relax the muscles of the respiratory system and help expel mucus. Eucalyptus, <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/remedies/peppermint-essential-oil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">peppermint</a>, and <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/remedies/rosemary-essential-oil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">rosemary</a> are some of the best essential oils for colds and coughs.</p><p>Research suggests that these three essential oils can have many benefits, including the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7827436" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reduction in frequency of coughs</a>, relief from scratchy throats and congestion, as well as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15719688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reduced inflammation and mucus production</a>.</p><p><strong>How to Use Essential Oils for Cough</strong></p><p>You can add a few drops of essential oil to any hot shower, which will incorporate the oil with the steam and open up your sinuses for less irritation and coughing. Additionally, you can make your own essential oil vapor rub by mixing 1-2 drops of essential oil with half a teaspoon of coconut or <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/remedies/the-best-mct-oils/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MCT oil</a>. Apply this DIY vapor rub to the chest and back of the neck for fast-acting relief.</p><p><strong>2. Raw Honey</strong></p><p>Raw honey's immune-boosting antioxidants and antimicrobial effects are perfect when it comes to finding a home remedy for coughing. According to a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223897/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2011 meta-analysis</a>, researchers think that raw honey may treat coughs by reducing inflammation and relieving irritation.</p><p>In a 2007 study published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056558" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine</a>, honey was tested against the cough-suppressing medication dextromethorphan in children with nighttime coughing. The honey group experienced a greater reduction in coughing than the dextromethorphan group. </p><p>To make your own DIY honey elixir, mix 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey in a cup of warm water with a few drops of lemon juice. However, if you are trying to alleviate coughing in children, you should not give raw honey to any child under one year of age <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">due to the risk of infant botulism</a>.</p><p><strong>3. Marshmallow Root</strong></p><p>Marshmallow root extract has long been used in Germany as a main ingredient in natural cough remedies. It has a high mucilage content, which eases coughing by coating the throat with a thick, gluey substance.</p><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16391481" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">One small study</a> found that an herbal cough medicine containing marshmallow root, thyme, and ivy can effectively relieve coughing caused by respiratory tract infections in humans after just 12 days of treatment.</p><p>In a 2018 study published in the journal <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30064132" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Complementary Medicine Research</a>, consumers reported on the efficacy of marshmallow root syrup as a treatment for irritative cough. The majority of participants reported a significant reduction in dry cough symptoms within 10 minutes of administration.</p><p><strong>4. Gargle Salt Water</strong></p><p>This simple, natural remedy for coughing is great for soothing a sore throat as well. Gargling salt water has been shown to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16242593" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reduce respiratory infections up to 40 percent</a>, and can lessen the need to cough by reducing phlegm and mucus in the throat.</p><p>Mix a teaspoon of salt with 8oz of hot water. Stir the mixture until the salt has fully dissolved. Make sure the water isn't too hot, then take a swig of the salt water and gargle for 15 to 30 seconds. After this, you can spit out the salt water, and repeat three times a day.</p><p><strong>5. Eat Right</strong></p><p>Eating immune-boosting foods can be extremely beneficial in preventing and fighting off a cough, and here are some of the best foods for supporting immunity, reducing inflammation, and thinning mucus:</p><ul><li><strong>Probiotic foods</strong>: If you get frequent, recurring coughs, you may be more susceptible to illness due to a weakened gut lining. <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/remedies/the-best-probiotic-supplements/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Probiotics</a> like kombucha, coconut kefir, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, and kimchi can reinforce the gut lining and fortify the immune system.</li><li><strong>Bone broth:</strong> Drinking hot bone broth made from chicken or beef cartilage can thin the mucus and help repair the gut lining with <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/remedies/the-best-collagen-powders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">collagen</a>.</li><li><strong>Ginger root:</strong> <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/remedies/the-best-ginger-supplements/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ginger</a> contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds like zingibain and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604064/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">may relax the muscles in the upper airway that control coughing</a>.</li><li><strong>Stay Hydrated: </strong>This may seem like a no-brainer, but in order to be fully cough-resistant, you'll have to drink plenty of fluids. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223897/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Studies show</a> that staying hydrated is essential to the treatment of coughs, and it may also soften mucosal secretions and help clear the airway.</li></ul>Other Helpful Tips for Relieving a Cough at Home
<p>As you seek to use home remedies for cough relief, you'll also want to avoid pro-inflammatory foods like gluten, sugar, soda, fruit juice, dairy, hydrogenated oils, and processed foods.</p><p>If your nasal passages are congested, irritation from nasal drip can make your cough worse. If this is the case, you may want to try using a neti pot, which can flush out irritants and thin the mucus.</p><p>If you experience persistent coughing for longer than eight weeks, we recommend seeing a doctor for medical advice and treatment. At-home remedies are a great way to alleviate common cold or flu symptoms, but more serious complications may arise that require professional treatment.</p>EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
Perhaps you like some honey in your tea, or drizzled over yogurt for a dash of sweetness, but do you know that it may also improve your health?
Best Overall: Manuka Health
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDkxNTk5OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MDc5MTY0N30.odXDVp55oLyw31kdazFIjXmEetnsXDUlnd9ufsWxdaE/img.jpg?width=980" id="3686d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="eea9217ea5c54af779b679ef97a8c10d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1078" data-height="1192" />Amazon
<p>This Manuka honey product comes in many different levels of potency and may help support healing through its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.</p><p><strong>Why Buy:</strong></p><ul><li>100% pure New Zealand Manuka honey</li><li>MGO 400+</li><li>Independent quality testing in an ISO17025 accredited laboratory</li><li>Traceable from beehive to shelf</li><li>Raw and unpasteurized</li><li>Only 45 calories per tablespoon</li></ul>Best UMF 15+ product: Kiva Raw
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDkxNjA0OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMzU0ODc5MX0.oppNhvaQHPK7qtucKDlloQ9mbPg8qcZ5xFSpzz7kf24/img.jpg?width=980" id="40fca" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5158572f82fe34cf58a53170fbf80b1c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1160" data-height="1190" />Amazon
<p>This potent Manuka honey product has a high UMF and MGO level, making it full of antioxidant and antibacterial compounds. In turn, this product can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.</p><p><strong>Why Buy:</strong></p><ul><li>UMF 15+ certified</li><li>MGO 514+</li><li>Harvested from New Zealand</li><li>Independently tested, verified, and traceable</li><li>Raw and unpasteurized</li></ul>Best Monofloral: Wedderspoon Raw Premium
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDkxNjA5OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjQzNjQ4OX0.K2IKljg9ykcWk5-HIeAK4gvhVmJoLwQKBjzWyB3QqZE/img.jpg?width=980" id="ac701" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6c685d5e96f3166c6b58ecac615ef360" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1070" data-height="1180" />Amazon
<p>The distinction, monofloral, is important because it indicates honey that comes from the nectar of one flower whereas multi flora could specify that it either comes from the nectar of multiple types of flowers or is blended with other honey products. Multi flora therefore may indicate it is less potent in the health-benefiting Manuka compounds.</p><p>Wedderspoon's product is authentic Manuka honey made in New Zealand and is raw and unpasteurized, which preserves its antioxidant properties. The authenticity of this honey gives it an earthy, caramelized flavor that is delicious on its own or in your favorite beverage.</p><p><strong>Why Buy:</strong></p><ul><li>Made in New Zealand</li><li>Non-GMO Project Verified</li><li>K Factor 16™, which means it's mostly or wholly from the <em>Leptospermum scoparium</em> (manuka) plant</li><li>Raw and unpasteurized monofloral Manuka honey</li><li>Traceable from hive to home</li><li>70 calories per tablespoon</li><li>Free of antibiotics, glyphosate, and pesticides</li><li>SQF level 3 facility to certify safety standards</li></ul>- 6 Vegan Alternatives to Honey - EcoWatch ›
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>- Best CBD Oils of 2020: Reviews & Buying Guide - EcoWatch ›
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For one year Rob Greenfield grew and foraged all of his own food. No grocery stores, no restaurants, no going to a bar for a drink, not even medicines from the pharmacy.
Rob Greenfield Wants to Inspire People to Question Their Food
<p>For some time, Greenfield had been wrestling with the question: is it possible to step away from our globalised industrialised food system, from all the destruction that it causes to the world, to other species, to other people, and step away from that and actually produce all of his own food? So he decided to find out if it was possible.</p><p>Well, one year later and Greenfield is happy to announce that he still here and he is healthier than when he started, and happier that he did it.</p><p>Another element of the experiment is that he wants to inspire people to question their food. Where does it come from? How does it get to them? What is the impact it has on the Earth, other species and ultimately themselves?</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjA5MTUzMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzcwNTk1MH0.AAjelfaAzEV1J4nb-v8AhBxn8LhSmLt_pn3Y87Qmvvs/img.jpg?width=980" id="540eb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="902f9c30d0ef4b544705f9a55710fce9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Greenfield displays "TOO MUCH HONEY" on day 357 of growing and foraging 100 percent of his food. Rob Greenfield / Facebook
Rob has "grown over 100 different foods and foraged over 200." Rob Greenfield / Facebook
Rob shares fresh honey, fruits and veggies from his garden with neighbors. Rob Greenfield / Facebook
Trending
Bayer, which recently wrapped up its takeover of Monsanto, now owns glyphosate and the liabilities surrounding it.
By Katherine Wei
We all love to eat. And increasingly, our cultural conversation centers around food—the cultivation of refined taste buds, the methods of concocting the most delectable blends of flavors, the ways in which it can influence our health and longevity, and the countless TV shows and books that are borne of people's foodie fascinations. However, there's one aspect we as consumers pay perhaps too little heed: the production of food before it reaches markets and grocery store shelves. We don't directly experience this aspect of food, and as a result, it's shrouded in mystery, and often, confusion.
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By Jessica Corbett
Raising further concerns about the global food production system, a new study found that bees worldwide are being widely exposed to dangerous agricultural chemicals, with 75 percent of honey samples from six continents testing positive for pesticides known to harm pollinators.
"What this shows is the magnitude of the contamination," the study's lead author, Edward Mitchell, a biology professor at the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland, told the Denver Post. He said there were "relatively few places where we did not find any" contaminated samples.
By Corey Binns
Dressed in a white beekeeping suit, Zack Strong tried to ignore the honeybees buzzing around his hood as he pounded fence posts into late summer's rock-hard ground about 20 miles southwest of Columbus, Montana. The native Montanan and advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) Land and Wildlife program had made the trip from his home in Bozeman to these endless, rolling plains stretching north and east of the towering Beartooth Mountains to resolve a conflict between a storied pair of rivals, bees and bears. Black bears had recently bothered bee yards in this area, jeopardizing business for local apiarists in the nation's second-largest honey-producing state.
As anyone familiar with Winnie the Pooh will know—and as Dr. Alex Few, a biologist with U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, will attest to—conflicts between honeybees and bears are not new. Both black and grizzly bears love honey and will also eat bees and their larvae. But now that bear populations are expanding, conflicts are cropping up in new areas, Few noted.
Trending
By Carey Gillam
Residues of the main ingredient in Monsanto's flagship herbicide Roundup has been found in honey in the key farm state of Iowa.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began glyphosate residue testing in a small number of foods earlier this year after the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in March 2015. The "special assignment," as the FDA refers to the testing project, is the first time the FDA has ever looked for glyphosate residues in food, though it annually tests foods for numerous other pesticides.
Research by FDA chemist Narong Chamkasem and John Vargo, a chemist at the University of Iowa, shows that residues of glyphosate have been detected at 653 parts per billion (ppb), more than 10 times the limit of 50 ppb allowed in the European Union. Other samples tested detected glyphosate residues in honey samples at levels from the low 20s ppb to more than 123 parts per billion ppb. Some samples had none or only trace amounts below levels of quantification. Previous reports had disclosed glyphosate residues in honey detected as high as 107 ppb. The collaborative work was part of an effort within the FDA to establish and validate testing methodology for glyphosate residues.
"According to recent reports, there has been a dramatic increase in the usage of these herbicides, which are of risk to both human health and the environment," Chamkasem and Vargo stated in their laboratory bulletin.
Because there is no legal tolerance level for glyphosate in honey in the U.S., any amount could technically be considered a violation, according to statements made in FDA internal emails, obtained through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may soon move to set a tolerance, however. The agency has set tolerance levels for glyphosate residues in many foods the EPA expects might contain residues of the weed killer. When residue levels are detected above the tolerance levels, enforcement action can be taken against the food producer.
"EPA is evaluating the necessity of establishing tolerances for inadvertent residues of pesticides in honey," the agency said in a statement. "EPA has examined the glyphosate residue levels found in honey and has determined that glyphosate residues at those levels do not raise a concern for consumers."
Despite these reassurances by the EPA, at least two lawsuits have been filed over this issue. The Organic Consumers Association and Beyond Pesticides filed suit Tuesday against the Sioux Honey Association Cooperative, a large Iowa-based group of bee keepers who produce the nationally known brand Sue Bee Honey.
Sue Bee bills itself as "America's Honey," but the lawsuit alleges that the labeling and advertising of Sue Bee Products as "Pure," "100% Pure," "Natural" and "All-natural" is "false, misleading and deceptive." Some of the glyphosate residues detected in the FDA tests were found in the Sue Bee brand, according to the FDA documents obtained through FOIA requests.
Lawsuit Filed Against Sioux Honey Over ‘100% Pure’ & ‘Natural’ Labels on Products Contaminated with #Glyphosate… https://t.co/HTpLLeS3vc— GMWatch (@GMWatch)1478097449.0
The claims are similar to another lawsuit, which seeks class action status, that was filed against Sioux Honey Association in late September in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Quaker Oats was sued earlier this year on a similar claim regarding glyphosate residues. The FDA has also found glyphosate residues in oatmeal, including several types of infant oat cereal.
FDA Tests Confirm Baby Foods Contain Residues of Glyphosate via @EcoWatch https://t.co/BlI1M7UNf4— Mark Hyman, M.D. (@Mark Hyman, M.D.)1475598525.0
Considering corn is the key crop grown in Iowa and most of the U.S. corn crop is genetically modified to tolerate being sprayed directly with glyphosate, it is not surprising that glyphosate residues are showing up in honey in Iowa and other farm states.
"It's a chemical intrusion, a chemical trespass into our product," said Darren Cox, president of the American Honey Producers Association. "We have really no way of controlling it. I don't see an area for us to put our bees. We can't put them in the middle of the desert. They need to be able to forage in ag areas. There are no ag areas free of this product."
Sioux Honey Association President David Allibone said no one from the FDA has communicated with his group about the chemical residues found in honey and he said he could not discuss the issue further because of the litigation.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday acknowledges the difficulties beekeepers face. They "are often the victims of and have little recourse against, contamination of their hives caused by pesticide applications in the fields where bees forage," the lawsuit states.
The glyphosate residues showing up in food are surprising and worrisome, according to dietitian Mitzi Dulan, a nationally known nutrition and wellness expert.
"I think more testing should be done so that we are armed with the knowledge and then we can decide what we want to put into our bodies," Dulan said. "I do believe in minimizing pesticide exposures whenever possible."
Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides, a plaintiff in the lawsuit filed yesterday, said regulators need to do more to address the issue.
"Until U.S. regulatory agencies prohibit Monsanto and other manufacturers of glyphosate from selling pesticides that end up in the food supply, we need to protect consumers by demanding truth and transparency in labeling," Feldman said.
By Carey Gillam
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is quietly starting to test U.S. foods for traces of glyphosate, has found residues of the cancer-linked pesticide in a variety of oat products, including plain and flavored oat cereals for babies.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found residues of the weed killer glyphosate in samples of U.S. honey, according to documents obtained by the consumer advocacy group U.S. Right to Know through a Freedom of Information Act request. Some samples showed residue levels double the legally allowed limit in the European Union.
There is no legal tolerance level for glyphosate in honey in the U.S., so any amount of detectable glyphosate in honey could technically be considered illegal. Some of the honey tested by the FDA had glyphosate residues at 107 parts per billion, well more than the 50 parts per billion set as a maximum allowed in the European Union, the documents state.
Records obtained from the FDA, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, by U.S. Right to Know detail a range of revelations about the federal government's efforts to get a handle on rising concerns about glyphosate. In addition to honey, the records show government residue experts discussing the prevalence of glyphosate found in soybean samples and the belief that there could be a lot of "violation for glyphosate" residue levels in U.S. crops.
Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, is the most widely used herbicide in the world and concerns about glyphosate residues in food increased after the World Health Organization in 2015 said its cancer experts determined glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen. Other international scientists have raised concerns about how heavy use of glyphosate is impacting human health and the environment.
IARC Scientist Reaffirms #Glyphosate's Link to #Cancer as #Monsanto's Requests to Dismiss Lawsuits Denied https://t.co/UsSBjCnsjm @Neilyoung— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)1467807677.0
Even though the FDA annually examines foods for residues of many pesticides, it has declined to test for glyphosate residues for decades. It was only in February of this year that the agency said it would start some limited testing for glyphosate residues. That came after many independent researchers started conducting their own testing on various foods two years ago, finding glyphosate in an array of products, including flour, cereal and oatmeal.