Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that targets and inhibits the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase EPSPS in plants. This enzyme is crucial for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids, which are essential for plant growth and survival. Since humans and animals do not have this enzyme, glyphosate is considered to have low toxicity to them.However, there have been concerns about the potential health effects of glyphosate when ingested through food. Some studies have suggested that glyphosate exposure may be linked to various health issues, including cancer, endocrine disruption, and gut microbiome disturbances. The International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC has classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" Group 2A , based on limited evidence of cancer in humans and sufficient evidence of cancer in experimental animals.The mechanism of toxicity in humans is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and interference with the gut microbiome. Glyphosate may disrupt the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, which could potentially lead to health issues.To mitigate the potential risks of glyphosate exposure, several strategies can be employed:1. Regulatory measures: Governments can set maximum residue limits MRLs for glyphosate in food products to ensure that the levels of glyphosate in food are below the levels considered safe for human consumption.2. Agricultural practices: Farmers can adopt integrated pest management IPM strategies that minimize the use of chemical pesticides, including glyphosate, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.3. Consumer choices: Consumers can choose to buy organic products, which are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, including glyphosate.4. Washing and peeling: Thoroughly washing and peeling fruits and vegetables can help reduce the levels of pesticide residues, including glyphosate, on the surface of the produce.5. Cooking: Cooking food can help break down some pesticide residues, although the effectiveness of this method varies depending on the pesticide and the cooking method.It is important to note that the potential health risks of glyphosate exposure should be balanced against the benefits of using glyphosate as an effective and low-cost herbicide in agriculture. Further research is needed to better understand the potential health effects of glyphosate and to develop strategies for minimizing exposure and mitigating risks.