Glyphosate: The Poison in Our Food & Water

Jason Samir Santiago

Alright, so picture this. You’re biting into a fresh apple, or maybe munching on some granola—feeling healthy, right?

Alex Monroe

Sure, sounds like a good choice. But I’m guessing there’s a catch here.

Jason Samir Santiago

Oh, there’s always a catch, Alex. That apple—or that granola bar—or shit, even Girl Scout Cookies might have something lurking in it. Something… kinda terrifying.

Alex Monroe

Ah, you’re talking about glyphosate, aren’t you?

Jason Samir Santiago

Boom, nailed it. Glyphosate—the so-called wonder herbicide. The chemical they swore was safe.

Alex Monroe

And to this day, many still believe that. But the story is far more complicated. This isn’t just about a single chemical. It’s about how we’ve allowed corporations to essentially dictate the rules on safety—

Jason Samir Santiago

—or lack of safety.

Alex Monroe

Exactly. Glyphosate wasn’t just sold as a weed killer. It became the foundation of a global agricultural system, tightly controlled by a handful of companies.

Jason Samir Santiago

Right. And if you’re thinking, “Well, hey, isn’t that regulated?”—that’s where things get shady.

Alex Monroe

And historically, glyphosate was greenlit by regulatory agencies based on industry-sponsored studies. Let that sink in—science paid for by the very companies making billions off this stuff.

Jason Samir Santiago

It’s like trusting the fox to guard the henhouse, right?

Alex Monroe

It’s a perfect analogy. And those same studies underplayed risks—cancer, hormone disruption—for years. This chemical is literally in our food, our water... our bodies.

Jason Samir Santiago

Wait, wait. Back up. It’s in our bodies?

Alex Monroe

Yeah. Studies have found glyphosate residues in people across the world. It’s in our blood, our urine. There’s no escaping it.

Jason Samir Santiago

Great. Just what I needed to hear on a Monday...

Alex Monroe

It sounds bleak, but it’s important people learn the full scope of what we’re dealing with here. Once you see the patterns...

Jason Samir Santiago

...you can’t unsee them.

Jason Samir Santiago

Okay, so glyphosate is in our bodies—that’s unsettling enough—but then you hear the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a probable human carcinogen. What’s going on there, Alex?

Alex Monroe

Right, so the IARC—which is part of the WHO—looked at a ton of studies and basically found a strong link between glyphosate exposure and cancer. Specifically, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Jason Samir Santiago

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma? That’s... not minor. So, like, when they say “probable,” is that just a cautious way of saying, “We’re pretty sure it’s cancer-causing”?

Alex Monroe

Exactly. The term "probable" leaves room for further evidence, but there’s enough data to warrant serious concern. And get this—many independent scientists have been making this case for years. But their findings often get buried under industry-funded research claiming glyphosate is “safe.”

Jason Samir Santiago

Oh, you mean the studies backed by the same companies selling glyphosate? Surprise, surprise.

Alex Monroe

Yeah, no conflict of interest there, right? These companies argue that there’s a “safe level” of exposure. But the problem is, independent research shows even low levels of glyphosate exposure can have long-term effects over time.

Jason Samir Santiago

Let me guess—it’s in everything we eat. How unavoidable are we talking here?

Alex Monroe

Completely unavoidable. Tests have found glyphosate residue in grains, produce, oats, even baby food. You can’t wash it off, because many of these crops are sprayed with glyphosate as they’re grown.

Jason Samir Santiago

Wait, baby food? That’s—that’s insane.

Alex Monroe

It is. And this ties into the bigger issue of how industrial agriculture has made us all passive participants in exposure. Residues are showing up in our food chain, water sources, even our air in some cases.

Jason Samir Santiago

Lovely. So we’re basically walking glyphosate sponges. What’s the endgame here, Alex?

Alex Monroe

The endgame? You need to follow the money. These companies profit massively from selling herbicides, regardless of the cost to human health. That’s why the corporate messaging pushes “We’re feeding the world” while downplaying these risks.

Jason Samir Santiago

Uh-huh. Feeding the world... and maybe poisoning it at the same time.

Jason Samir Santiago

Speaking of corporate spin, Alex, let me set the scene for everyone. A Bayer representative, on live TV, straight-faced, claims, “Glyphosate is safe. You could drink a whole glass of it.”

Alex Monroe

And the interviewer, not missing a beat, offers him a glass of glyphosate—as if to say, “Prove it.” What happens next is... priceless.

Jason Samir Santiago

Oh, it’s beyond priceless. The guy panics and flat-out refuses. I mean, you can see his face go pale. He practically says, “Uh, no thanks.”

Alex Monroe

Right. He tries to backpedal, claiming, “I’m not stupid,” as if drinking the very product he just called safe would somehow be a ridiculous idea. That single moment—you couldn’t make it up.

Jason Samir Santiago

Wait, wait. The guy said he wasn’t stupid? That’s—wow. Talk about confidence in your product, huh?

Alex Monroe

Exactly. And this became a huge turning point. That one public interview raised suspicions everywhere. If the chemical is so safe, why not back up the claim right there on camera?

Jason Samir Santiago

Yeah, it’s like, you gotta wonder. If the people who sell this stuff won’t touch it, what are we supposed to think?

Alex Monroe

That’s the key, isn’t it? Actions speak louder than words. If Bayer representatives aren’t willing to put their own claims to the test, it sends a clear message—they don’t truly believe in the safety of their product.

Jason Samir Santiago

And, honestly, that one awkward refusal probably did more damage than any scientific report ever could. It’s like the ultimate oops moment for Bayer.

Alex Monroe

It is. But it also exposed something deeper. These companies aren’t just selling chemicals; they’re selling narratives. “Safe,” “necessary,” “benefiting humanity.” It all falls apart the moment someone asks for proof.

Jason Samir Santiago

Right—and then, poof. That big shiny PR bubble just pops. It’s actually kinda hilarious, if it wasn’t so scary.

Alex Monroe

Hilarious and terrifying, yes. That incident turned into proof, in the court of public opinion, that the people profiting off glyphosate aren’t as confident in its safety as they want us to believe.

Jason Samir Santiago

Ooof. Imagine being that guy, though. Bet he didn’t think he’d be the face of corporate mistrust.

Alex Monroe

It wasn’t just about him, though. This moment reinforced long-standing doubts about these corporations. It’s not just Bayer. This pattern of saying one thing and doing another? It’s systemic.

Jason Samir Santiago

And yet, they’re still out there, doubling down, telling us everything’s fine. It’s infuriating.

Jason Samir Santiago

You know, Alex, this kind of doublespeak isn’t just limited to Bayer. Monsanto took it a step further—they didn’t just sell glyphosate, they created an entire production to make us believe it was as harmless as water.

Alex Monroe

That’s a good way to put it. They weren’t just marketing a product—they were crafting a narrative. Internal emails show they ghostwrote papers that were then published as independent research. "Independent" in quotes, of course.

Jason Samir Santiago

Whoa, wait. Ghostwriting science? That’s next-level shady. So basically, they wrote the script and handed it off to someone else to read?

Alex Monroe

Exactly. And those papers were used to support regulatory approvals worldwide. The kicker here? Some officials within the EPA actually raised alarms about glyphosate’s risks.

Jason Samir Santiago

Hold up. EPA scientists were like, “Hey, this stuff’s dangerous,” and Monsanto just… what, ignored them?

Alex Monroe

Well, more like drowned them out. Think about it—if you’re flooding the system with industry-backed studies saying glyphosate is safe, you marginalize dissenting voices. It’s a numbers game.

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s... so messed up. But, okay. Wasn't there some big blow-up in court about all this?

Alex Monroe

Oh yeah. Multiple lawsuits exposed internal documents showing Monsanto knew about the risks but actively worked to conceal them. The most damning ones involved their efforts to discredit scientists and manipulate public perception.

Jason Samir Santiago

Classic. When in doubt, attack the whistleblowers, right?

Alex Monroe

Exactly. But those lawsuits? They tore down Monsanto’s facade, showing the world how deeply they’d invested in protecting their bottom line over public health.

Jason Samir Santiago

And if that doesn’t make you question every other product Monsanto’s ever touched, I don’t know what will.

Alex Monroe

That’s fair. It’s a cautionary tale about unchecked corporate power. And, unfortunately, glyphosate isn’t the only example—it’s just one of the most visible now.

Jason Samir Santiago

Well, visibility’s a start, I guess. But seriously, Alex. It’s wild.

Jason Samir Santiago

So, Alex, after everything we just talked about, here’s a thought that terrifies me: imagine sitting down for dinner, and no matter what you’re eating, you’re essentially consuming glyphosate. How messed up is that?

Alex Monroe

Unfortunately, you’re not just imagining it. Over 80% of food samples tested in the U.S. have glyphosate residues.

Jason Samir Santiago

Wait, what? Eighty percent? That’s insane. Like, you can’t even dodge it?

Alex Monroe

No, you can’t. And it’s not just food. Rainwater and drinking water have been contaminated, too. This stuff has literally infiltrated our ecosystem.

Jason Samir Santiago

Rainwater? Seriously? So now it’s just... raining glyphosate? That’s next-level dystopian, Alex.

Alex Monroe

It really is. Glyphosate gets sprayed on fields, and then it evaporates, gets carried into the atmosphere, and comes back down in precipitation. There’s no escaping it—especially if you live near agricultural areas.

Jason Samir Santiago

Oh, great. So drinking water’s out too? What are we supposed to hydrate with, despair?

Alex Monroe

It feels that way sometimes. But yeah, tests have shown glyphosate in municipal water supplies as well. And then there’s the human exposure factor—blood and urine tests worldwide show detectable levels of glyphosate in people’s bodies.

Jason Samir Santiago

Hold on. In our blood? Our urine? Are you telling me I’ve got this poison running through my veins right now?

Alex Monroe

It’s very likely, yes. Multiple studies have found widespread exposure. And what’s worse, the long-term effects of low-dose glyphosate ingestion are still being studied, but there are links to several chronic illnesses over time.

Jason Samir Santiago

Okay, so let me get this straight: it’s in our food, our water, our freaking air, and now it’s just chilling in our bloodstream. What does that even do to us after, like, years of this?

Alex Monroe

That’s the big question. We know glyphosate disrupts gut bacteria, messes with hormone function, and there are strong links to diseases like cancer. There’s emerging evidence it could even impact reproductive health and brain function, especially in children.

Jason Samir Santiago

Man, it’s like the gift that keeps on giving, huh? This is seriously horrifying, Alex.

Alex Monroe

It is. And remember, this isn’t accidental. This is systemic. Glyphosate use has been so normalized by industry lobbying and global agricultural practices that no one really stopped to ask about the cumulative impacts until it was too late.

Jason Samir Santiago

Well, they say knowledge is power, right? Except this knowledge is kind of just making me angry.

Alex Monroe

That’s understandable. And you should be. The more people know, the more pressure there is to change these systems—systems that treat the planet and its people like disposable commodities for profit.

Jason Samir Santiago

Yeah, let’s hope that’s true. Because if we’re this far in and nothing’s changed...

Jason Samir Santiago

You know, Alex, the more we dig into this, the harder it is for me to wrap my head around it. Companies paying out billions in settlements, and yet they keep claiming they’ve done nothing wrong. How does that even work?

Alex Monroe

Hmm, let me think about that. A company deeply invested in crisis PR?

Jason Samir Santiago

Bingo. Bayer, of course. The billion-dollar elephant in the room—or should I say the billion-dollar glyphosate manufacturer in the room.

Alex Monroe

Yeah, it’s incredible, isn’t it? They settled thousands of lawsuits linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, yet they still won’t admit any liability or wrongdoing. Instead, they call it... what’s the word? Ah yes, “a business decision.”

Jason Samir Santiago

Oh, a business decision. Sure, because paying a jaw-dropping $10 billion isn’t at all an admission that something’s seriously wrong with your product.

Alex Monroe

Right. And here’s the kicker—despite everything, they’re still selling glyphosate. Still marketing it. And not just here in the U.S., but globally.

Jason Samir Santiago

Wait, wait. Let me get this straight. They’re handing out billions to cancer victims, but they’ve got no plans to actually stop selling the stuff that landed them in court in the first place?

Alex Monroe

That’s absolutely right. And not only that, but Bayer has been quietly setting aside funds for future lawsuits. They’re treating this as the cost of doing business, while continuing to rake in profits from glyphosate.

Jason Samir Santiago

Unbelievable. It’s like watching someone mop up a flood while the faucet’s still running.

Alex Monroe

Exactly. And it begs the question, why hasn’t there been a ban? Other countries, like France and Germany, are phasing out glyphosate, but here? Governments won’t touch it.

Jason Samir Santiago

Yeah, what gives? I mean, if the risks are so blatant, why is it still on shelves?

Alex Monroe

It all comes down to powerful lobbying and—surprise, surprise—industry influence. Bayer and other agrochemical companies have deep ties to regulators and policymakers. The revolving door between government agencies and corporate boardrooms plays a huge role here.

Jason Samir Santiago

Classic. The old “scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” routine. So they’re protecting the poison, basically?

Alex Monroe

That’s one way to look at it. These companies argue glyphosate is essential for modern agriculture, claiming there’s no viable alternative. And regulators often echo those points, ignoring the broader health and environmental costs.

Jason Samir Santiago

No alternatives? Come on. That just sounds lazy—or convenient.

Alex Monroe

It is convenient. When you dig deeper, the real issue isn’t viability—it’s profit. Glyphosate is cheap, effective, and keeps their bottom line healthy. Admitting it’s harmful would threaten the entire system they’ve built.

Jason Samir Santiago

Alright, but isn’t it the government’s job to, like, protect the people? Where’s the accountability here?

Alex Monroe

It should be their job. But faced with billion-dollar corporations pushing their own science, spinning narratives, and funding lobbying efforts, public safety takes a backseat to corporate interests.

Jason Samir Santiago

So, basically, the people who are supposed to protect us are protecting Bayer instead. That’s comforting.

Alex Monroe

It’s a betrayal, really. And it’s not just Bayer. This is a systemic problem in how we regulate powerful industries. When corporations can influence what gets approved and what doesn’t, you end up with chemicals like glyphosate entrenched in our food system.

Jason Samir Santiago

Man, it’s infuriating. And the worst part? Most people don’t even realize what’s happening behind the scenes.

Alex Monroe

Man, it’s so frustrating, Jason. But let me ask you this—what can everyday people even do about this? How do we deal with living in this glyphosate soup?

Jason Samir Santiago

There’s no magical solution, but there are steps you can take. First off, buying organic whenever possible is a good starting point. Organic certification prohibits the use of glyphosate, so it significantly reduces your exposure.

Alex Monroe

Okay, but let’s be real—organic isn’t always affordable for everyone, right?

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s absolutely true. It’s not accessible for everyone. So another key step is filtering your water. A high-quality water filter, like one with reverse osmosis, can effectively remove glyphosate residues.

Alex Monroe

Alright, so eat organic when you can, and then filter the heck out of your tap water. Got it. What about avoiding certain foods entirely?

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s a good point. Foods heavily linked to glyphosate contamination are oats, wheat, soy, and corn—especially anything processed. Knowing what’s at higher risk can help you make better choices.

Alex Monroe

Man, so granola bars, cereals... basically breakfast is a minefield? Great.

Jason Samir Santiago

Unfortunately, yes. But the bigger issue here is that individual action only goes so far. We need systemic change—actual regulation that prioritizes human health over corporate profit.

Alex Monroe

Oh yeah, because the current system? It’s kind of like letting the wolf babysit the sheep. What would real regulation even look like?

Jason Samir Santiago

Real regulation would mean independent safety studies—not ones funded by the industries they’re meant to regulate. It’d mean setting stricter limits on glyphosate use, especially in crops directly consumed by humans. And, most importantly, it’d mean prioritizing long-term health risks over immediate profits.

Alex Monroe

Yeah, that sounds great on paper, but it’s not happening without some serious public pressure, huh?

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly. Public awareness and demand are the only ways to push for these changes. Governments won’t act unless they feel that pressure—because these industries have enormous influence.

Alex Monroe

It’s like we’re not just fighting glyphosate—we’re fighting the system that lets it thrive. That’s... pretty overwhelming.

Jason Samir Santiago

It is. But this isn’t only about glyphosate. It’s a symptom of a much larger issue: corporate control over human health, over the environment, and, frankly, over policy itself. Tackling glyphosate is just the start.

Alex Monroe

So, yeah. If you’re listening to this, now’s the time to get mad, get informed, and get loud. Boycott the brands, sign the petitions, and, heck, call up your local reps and ask why they’re letting this happen.

Jason Samir Santiago

And don’t underestimate the power of choices, however small they might seem. Every step away from supporting these systems counts—and adds up over time.

Alex Monroe

Right. So whether it’s buying organic when you can, or just spreading the word—do something. Sitting back and hoping someone else fixes it? It’s not gonna cut it.

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly. Change starts with awareness, and awareness leads to action. That’s what’s needed here.

Alex Monroe

Well, on that note, I think we’ve given our listeners plenty to chew on—though maybe not literally, considering... well, glyphosate. But seriously, Jason, this was eye-opening.

Jason Samir Santiago

Always a pleasure, Alex. And to everyone listening, please remember to Like, share, and follow the podcast for more. It’s your health, your family, and your future. Demand better.

Alex Monroe

Exactly. So stay informed, stay vocal, and we’ll catch you next time on "Exposed and Unfiltered." Until then—stay sharp, folks.