Herbicides play a crucial role in modern agriculture by controlling weeds and ensuring sustainable crop productivity. However, their use has raised concerns about environmental contamination, biodiversity loss, and food safety. Recent trends show a decline in overall herbicide usage, with a shift towards more specific and targeted formulations. Systemic and pre-emergence herbicides are increasingly used, but this has led to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. The global agriculture faces challenges due to the adverse environmental impacts of herbicide contamination. Developing new herbicides with greater selectivity or bio-based alternatives is essential to minimize environmental hazards. Integrated weed management practices, rather than prolonged and repeated herbicide use, can effectively reduce the growth of herbicide-resistant weed populations. This review highlights recent trends, future challenges, and advancements in herbicide technology, regulatory considerations, and alternative approaches to ensure food security and safety. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable agriculture, human health, and environmental protection.Herbicides play a crucial role in modern agriculture by controlling weeds and ensuring sustainable crop productivity. However, their use has raised concerns about environmental contamination, biodiversity loss, and food safety. Recent trends show a decline in overall herbicide usage, with a shift towards more specific and targeted formulations. Systemic and pre-emergence herbicides are increasingly used, but this has led to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. The global agriculture faces challenges due to the adverse environmental impacts of herbicide contamination. Developing new herbicides with greater selectivity or bio-based alternatives is essential to minimize environmental hazards. Integrated weed management practices, rather than prolonged and repeated herbicide use, can effectively reduce the growth of herbicide-resistant weed populations. This review highlights recent trends, future challenges, and advancements in herbicide technology, regulatory considerations, and alternative approaches to ensure food security and safety. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable agriculture, human health, and environmental protection.