Warning : Glyphosate is most commonly used in the popular weedkiller Roundup . A weedkiller used in millions of gardens has been identified as a potential cancer risk . The World Health Organisation ’ s cancer agency asked a group of 17 international scientists to decide whether glyphosate posed a risk to humans . The International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC ) declared that the chemical , which is the world ’ s most widely used weedkiller , is a ‘ probable human carcinogen ’ . Glyphosate is most commonly used in the popular weedkiller Roundup , which is made by the American agro-chemical giant Monsanto . The firm – which strongly disputes the IARC ’ s findings – sells the herbicide to farmers in the US , where crops can be genetically modified to give them immunity to glyphosate . American GM plants like maize and soya beans can then be blanket-sprayed with Roundup to get rid of weeds without killing the crop . Use of the chemical has soared in the past decade , and it has been found in water and food on the shelves in the UK , including bread and cereal bars . The IARC report points out that 750 products contain glyphosate , and its use has increased sharply with the development of GM glyphosate-resistant crop varieties . The research looked at evidence from studies published in the US , Canada , and Sweden since 2001 . It concluded that there was evidence that glyphosate can cause tumours in mice and rats in laboratory experiments – and could cause DNA damage to human cells . IARC panel chairman Aaron Blair , from America ’ s National Cancer Institute , said : ‘ There was sufficient evidence in animals , limited evidence in humans and strong supporting evidence showing DNA mutations and damaged chromosomes. ’ Dr Blair said concern is growing about glyphosate . But he pointed out that the IARC panel did not prove that glyphosate definitely caused cancer . He went on to say : ‘ We have looked at , “ Is there evidence that glyphosate causes cancer ? ” and the answer is “ probably ” . That is different to “ yes ” . ’ Monsanto has issued a fierce defence of Roundup , accusing the IARC group of relying on ‘ junk science ’ and calling for the report to be retracted . The firm ’ s head of global regulatory affairs Philip Miller pointed to a four-year evaluation of glyphosate which was carried out for the EU by the German government , and concluded that the chemical was ‘ unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk in humans ’ . American plants like maize ( pictured ) and soya beans can be genetically modified to give them immunity to glyphosate . They can then be blanket-sprayed with Roundup to get rid of weeds without killing the crop . He added : ‘ Unfortunately this review does not meet the standards used by respected agencies around the world. ’ Some academic experts were also critical of the findings . Dr Oliver Jones , from RMIT University , said : ‘ This sounds scary and IARC evaluations are usually very good , but to me the evidence appears a bit thin. ’ The warning has triggered calls for food watchdogs in the EU to investigate whether they will now need to impose controls on glyphosate . Andreas Kortenkamp , a professor of human toxicology at London ’ s Brunel University , said : ‘ EU authorities must now consider whether measures are sufficient to protect consumers and pesticide applicators from cancer risks . ‘ Home gardeners especially should exercise the utmost care when they use weedkillers that contain glyphosate . ’
Chemical used in weedkiller is a 'probable human carcinogen ' , experts say . Glyphosate is most commonly used in popular weedkiller Roundup . Score: 6