A study released last week is likely to give families and industry a shake up.
According to a study released on Friday by Flinders University in South Australia, Roundup, at levels below those deemed safe in Australian drinking water, caused cell death and hormone disruption, with a decrease in progesterone levels.
This study comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) this month labelled Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, a probable carcinogen.
The launch of Food, Family and Health talk tour in Melbourne brought three international speakers to discuss the effects that Roundup and genetically modified food are having on children’s health and what can be expected for Australian children.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming information sessions in Sydney and New Zealand this week, visiting US pediatrician, Dr Michelle Perro, said she has seen an increase in allergies and illnesses in children over the past five years, with alarming changes in children’s blood samples showing damage to gut health and an increase in illnesses.
"I want to share my experiences so you don’t fall where we’ve already fallen,” Dr Perro said.
“In my own clinical practice, laboratory analysis show that 90 per cent of my patients have disturbances in intestinal function. Food is a big part of this”.
Over 80 per cent of genetically modified crops worldwide are grown with Roundup.
“Unfortunately most parents and grandparents are unaware of what’s really in the food they buy.” Said Fran Murrell of MADGE Inc Australia.
“Businesses and households across the globe that use these substances will need to rethink the impact these chemicals have on the health and safety of their community.”
Joining Dr Perro on this tour are Dr Michael Antoniou a molecular biologist from King’s College, London and Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America (MAA). “MAA tested breastmilk and found it was contaminated with the weedkiller Roundup. The highest level of Roundup was 1600 times greater than allowed in drinking water in Europe.”
Three events will be held in Sydney.
Monday morning seminar “What's food got to do with it?” for Health Practitioners and parents covers the impacts that Roundup and genetically-modified foods are having on the health of children. This session is especially important for practitioners at the forefront of thinking around nutrition.
Monday afternoon Seminar for Councils, food growers and gardeners covers the health effects of Roundup, which are particularly alarming for the people who are working with Roundup in their jobs and gardens.
Tuesday a public talk will be held in the evening with the three experts addressing their concerns and empowering people to make food buying decisions that will enable them to buy healthy food for their families.
Tickets online at www.madge.org.au
- Ends -
Quick facts
- MADGE Inc. was co-founded in 2007 by Jessica Harrison, Glenda Lindsay and Fran Murrell to address parents’ concerns of food modification in Australia.
- Dr Michelle Perro is a US pediatrician specializing in helping children with food-related illnesses
- Zen Honeycutt is the founder of Moms Across America and real food advocate who has appeared on US television, CNN and Fox News
