Dive Brief:
- The EPA and U.S. Department of Justice announced that Monsanto has been fined $600,000 after the company did not report uncontrolled releases of hazardous chemicals at a phosphate plant in Soda Springs, ID. The plant is operated by P4 Production LLC, a wholly owned Monsanto subsidiary.
- The toxic chemicals were reportedly released between 2006 and 2009. The phosphate plant was emitting hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, all of which can pose health risks to workers and area residents.
- According to a statement from Monsanto, "there were no allegations that the releases exceeded state of federal standards, or that they contributed to any known health concerns in the Soda Springs area," the Associated Press writes.
Dive Insight:
This news is a bit different from why Monsanto usually makes headlines. Instead of chemical releases into the environment, the company is usually either praised or demonized for its chemical undertakings in genetic modification of foods. Most recently, Monsanto admitted hubris in its bypassing of public concerns and opinion when first releasing GM foods to the world. The company has also been taking certain PR steps to sway anti-GMO opinions, such as having a presence at the South by Southwest music festival.