New report shows weed killer found in popular beers and wines

BOSTON — A recent study has found many of the popular wines and beers we drink contain levels of pesticides in them.

According to the new report by the public interest advocacy group U.S. PIRG, non-dangerous levels of a weed-killing chemical commonly found in Roundup has been found in dozens of beers and wines.

U.S. PIRG tested 20 beers and wines as well as hard cider - including organic brands - for glyphosate pesticide and found all but one contained the harmful chemical.

The report comes at the same time as a San Francisco court is set to hear arguments in the first civil case over whether Monsanto's Roundup weed killer causes cancer.

Among the brands tested was the Boston-based brewery Sam Adams and big name brands such as Budweiser, Heineken, Guinness and Stella Artois.

The study looked into five wines, fourteen beers and one hard cider. The wine brands included Barefoot, Beringer, Frey (organic), Inkarri Estates (organic) and Sutter Home.

The beers examined were from Budweiser, Coors, Corona, Guiness, Heineken, Miller, Peak (organic), Sam Adams, Samuel Smith (organic), Sierra Nevada, Stella Artois, Tsingtao and New Belgium. Ace Perry Hard Cider was also tested.

According to the report, the results found in the beers and wines tested were far below the EPA's risk tolerances. However, the amount or glyphosate found in the samples was as high as 51 parts per billion (ppb) in Sutter Home wine and more than 25 ppb in non-organic beers from Budweiser and Corona. At least one previous study found that as little as one part per trillion of glyphosate can stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells and disrupt the endocrine system.

The Brewers Association, which represents more than 4,900 small and independent craft brewers, said in a statement: “Brewers do not want glyphosate used on barley or any raw brewing material, and the barley grower organizations have also come out strongly against glyphosate.”

The report also notes that, while weed killer products like Roundup are prohibited in the making of organic beers and wines, glyphosate was found in three of the four organic alcoholic beverages tested.

Given the findings in the report, while glyphosate contamination is commonly found in many beers and wines, the report recommends the substance be banned in the U.S. given its "potential health risks and ubiquitous presence in food, water and alcohol."

Cox Media Group