An international study of glyphosate toxicity by US and European researchers has revealed that the herbicide can cause several types of cancer at low doses. The study involved two herbicides: Roundup Bioflow (MON52276), sold in Europe, and Ranger Pro (EPA524-517), sold in the US.

The study was conducted mainly at the Italian Ramazzini Institute, and included the participation of scientists from Boston University, George Mason University, King's College London, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the Monaco Scientific Center, the University of Bologna, the Italian National Research Council Institute of Agrobiology and Biotechnology, the Italian National Institute of Health, and the Italian National Food Safety Commission.

In the experiments, rats were dosed prenatally, the dosing being continued throughout their lives for two years. The three concentrations used were 0.5, 5, and 50 mg per day, all of which fall within the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) or acceptable daily intake (ADI), considered safe in the EU. All three groups showed an increase in benign and malignant tumors compared to the control group (fed a glyphosate-free diet). Tumors occurred in the lymph (leukemia), skin, liver, thyroid, nervous system, ovaries, and spleen. These tumors are rare in rats; 40% of leukemia deaths occurred soon after birth and there was an increase in early mortality for other cancers.

On May 30, 2025, The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau formulated and released guidelines for the labeling, etc. of biostimulants. Biostimulants are materials that support soil functions and are expected to be an area where biotechnology will be applied in the future. As they are not agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, or soil improvement materials, there existed a situation where there are no applicable laws or regulations, thus leading to the creation of the guidelines. The guidelines require companies to confirm in advance the safety of their products to crops and humans, but since they are not legally regulated, the legal binding force is weak.

Maruha Nichiro is to work with Singaporean company UMAMI Bioworks to develop cell-cultured bluefin tuna meat. Maruha Nichiro is keen on cell-cultured seafood, having announced joint research with Integriculture Inc. in 2021 and Ichimasa Kamaboko Co., Ltd. in 2022. In addition to tuna, UMAMI Bioworks is developing eel, caviar, lobster, white-fleshed fish, and others. The company held a tasting meeting in Singapore in February. (Foovo 2025/5/14)