In 2021, Bayer and Monsanto announced plans to replace the original formula of Roundup weed killer with a new version in all U.S. retail stores. Today, shoppers are reporting that Roundup’s new formula, labeled as “Exclusive Formula” on the bottle, has finally started hitting the shelves.
Why did Roundup change its formula?
This decision was part of Bayer’s Five-Point Plan to lessen the impact of current and future Roundup lawsuits. Before the announcement, Bayer and Monsanto had already lost three major Roundup trials between 2018 and 2019, owing plaintiffs nearly $2.5 billion in settlements before appeal. Thousands of Roundup claims are still waiting to be settled, so Bayer and Monsanto needed to take action to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of future trials.
The primary active ingredient in the original Roundup formula, glyphosate, has been connected to a variety of serious health issues. Most notably, scientific research has linked longterm glyphosate exposure to an increased rate of developing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and other blood cancers. In response to these concerns, Bayer and Monsanto announced that they would be removing glyphosate from their consumer products and creating a new Roundup formula to be sold in stores.
According to the official Five-Point Plan, Bayer and Monsanto would be transitioning the “manufacturing of [their] glyphosate products in the U.S. residential Lawn & Garden market to new formulations that have different active ingredients.” As of October 2024, only some parts of the U.S. have access to the new Roundup formula.
Will the original Roundup formula be discontinued?
Unfortunately, no. The formula change will only apply to the versions of Roundup found in U.S. retail stores. Bayer and Monsanto have no plan to change the formulas they sell internationally or to industry professionals. These formulations of Roundup, until further notice, will continue to contain glyphosate.
In its Five Point Plan, Bayer insisted that the original Roundup does not cause cancer, and that switching to a new Roundup formula should not be considered as an admission of wrongdoing. Instead, Bayer and Monsanto complained about the U.S. mass tort system allowing cancer survivors to pursue Roundup claims without having to pay for legal costs upfront. Based on these statements, it appears that Bayer and Monsanto’s primary concerns are maintaining profits and avoiding further legal entanglements, not ensuring the safety of their customers.
If you developed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, or a closely-related type of lymphoma or leukemia after being exposed to glyphosate, there’s still time to file a claim for a Roundup settlement. If you were diagnosed within the last 20 years, then you may qualify to receive a free case review and take the first step towards filing a Roundup lawsuit.
To see if you can join the Roundup lawsuit and get the compensation you deserve, submit our 2-minute Roundup eligibility assessment for a free case review.
