Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, continues to face a large and growing number of lawsuits alleging that its herbicide Roundup, which contains the chemical glyphosate, causes cancer—particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma and related blood cancers. These lawsuits claim that Monsanto knew about the cancer risks associated with glyphosate for years but failed to warn consumers or regulators, leading to widespread exposure and harm.
The litigation history is extensive. After Monsanto was acquired by Bayer in 2018, Bayer inherited thousands of pending lawsuits consolidated into multidistrict litigation to streamline the process. Plaintiffs, many of whom are agricultural workers, landscapers, or others with prolonged exposure to Roundup, argue that glyphosate exposure significantly increases the risk of developing various types of lymphoma, including B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, among others.
Recent developments show that courts have affirmed large punitive damages against Monsanto/Bayer. For example, a Missouri appellate court upheld a $611 million verdict in 2025, part of a larger original award of $1.56 billion, signaling judicial recognition of Monsanto’s liability for knowingly selling a carcinogenic product without adequate warnings. This verdict reflects a pattern of juries repeatedly finding in favor of plaintiffs who link their cancers to Roundup exposure.
Bayer has set aside substantial financial reserves—over $11 billion initially, with an additional $2 billion added later—to cover current and future claims related to Roundup cancer lawsuits. Despite this, Bayer maintains that glyphosate is safe when used as directed and continues to sell commercial glyphosate-based products, although residential sales were halted in 2023.
Scientific and regulatory scrutiny continues alongside the lawsuits. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, and recent reports highlight concerns about glyphosate residues in food, suggesting chronic dietary exposure may pose health risks. However, regulatory agencies in some countries have not fully banned glyphosate, and Bayer disputes the cancer link, citing studies and regulatory approvals that support glyphosate’s safety.
Internal Monsanto documents revealed during litigation have shown efforts to influence regulatory agencies and suppress unfavorable research, fueling allegations of a cover-up. These revelations intensified public and legal pressure, leading to a surge in lawsuits and settlements.
In summary, Monsanto/Bayer is indeed facing more lawsuits over cancer risks tied to Roundup. The volume of litigation remains high, with new cases continuing to be
