Roundup Lawsuit
Roundup is an herbicide made by Monsanto, which Bayer AG acquired in 2018. Lawsuits against Bayer over Roundup continue to mount. As the world’s most widely used herbicide and the second-most common weed killer across home gardening, government, industry, and commercial sectors, Roundup has been a staple since its introduction by Monsanto in 1974. Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018, inheriting the legal battles surrounding the product. Roundup is widely used by farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers, and home gardeners.
The lawsuits allege that Roundup contains glyphosate, a chemical classified as a probable carcinogen, which has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in consumers exposed to the herbicide.
Roundup and Glyphosate Use
Since its launch, Roundup has expanded into multiple formulations, including Roundup Ready-to-Use, Roundup for Lawns, and Roundup Max Control. While generic versions and other glyphosate-based herbicides have entered the market, Roundup remains the leading product in its category.
Glyphosate works by inhibiting essential proteins needed for plant growth, making it highly effective against weeds such as poison ivy, kudzu, and dandelions. Its agricultural use has surged since the development of genetically modified crops resistant to the herbicide. Currently, glyphosate is used in over 160 countries, with more than 1.4 billion pounds applied worldwide each year. In the U.S. alone, approximately 100 million pounds are used annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Financial and Corporate Background
Monsanto generated nearly $4.76 billion in sales and $1.9 billion in gross profits from herbicide products in 2015, with Roundup as a key contributor.
In June 2018, Bayer completed its $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto, becoming its sole owner. The integration process, which required U.S. Department of Justice approval and divestments to BASF, is expected to take several years.
Despite its widespread use, Roundup remains at the center of legal challenges as plaintiffs seek accountability for alleged health risks associated with glyphosate exposure.