A bill currently awaiting the signature of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp—Senate Bill 144—has drawn sharp criticism from public health advocates and supporters of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. The legislation would prevent manufacturers from being held liable for failing to warn consumers about health risks beyond those mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically in relation to pesticide products. Critics argue that this measure would undermine accountability and restrict the public’s ability to seek justice in cases of pesticide-related harm. “The bill is literally making America sick again,” said Emma Post, spokesperson for MAHA Action. The debate comes in the wake of a Georgia jury awarding $2.1 billion in damages to a man who alleged that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer caused his cancer.
Health advocates, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have long warned about the dangers of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. Kennedy played a key role in a landmark 2018 case that secured $289 million in damages for a man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Emerging studies continue to link glyphosate exposure to serious health concerns, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and reduced fertility. Advocates such as Kelly Ryerson, founder of Glyphosate Facts, argue that the chemical’s widespread use in food production poses an ongoing risk to public health. Despite mounting evidence and legal challenges, Bayer Monsanto stands by the safety of its products, and the European Union recently renewed approval of glyphosate for another ten years. As national dialogue grows around chemical safety and food transparency, the outcome of Georgia’s SB 144 may set a pivotal precedent.
DiMella, Ashley J. "Pesticide in Food That's 'Making America Sick Again' May Get Free Pass." Fox News, 1 Apr. 2025
