Popular oat cereals, oatmeal, granola and snack bars come with a hefty dose of the weed-killing poison in Roundup, Glyphosate, according to independent laboratory tests commissioned by EWG (Environmental Working Group). Roundup, the Monsanto weed killer is the most heavily used pesticide in the U.S. Glyphosate, an herbicide linked to cancer by California state scientists and the World Health Organization, was found in all but two of 45 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats. Almost three-fourths of those samples had glyphosate levels higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health with an adequate margin of safety. About one-third of 16 samples made with organically grown oats also had glyphosate, all at levels well below EWG’s health benchmark.
Studies regularly find that the legal limits on contaminants in food, air, drinking water and consumer products fall short of fully protecting public health, particularly for children and other people more sensitive to the effects of toxic chemicals. The EPA has calculated that 1-to-2 year old children are likely to have the highest exposure, at a level 2x greater than California's No Significant Risk Level and 230x the EWG'S health benchmark.The EPA’s legal limit for glyphosate on oats, 30 parts per million, was set in 2008, well before the cancer findings of the IARC (Internal Agency for Research on Cancer) and California state scientists. But just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. Federal government standards for pesticides in food are often outdated, not based on the best and most current science. The EPA’s standards for pesticides and other chemicals are also heavily influenced by lobbying from industry. EWG does not believe chemicals linked to cancer belong in children’s food. Their recommended maximum daily intake of glyphosate in food is 0.01 milligrams. For a 60-gram portion of food, this daily intake limit translates to a safety standard of 160 ppb (parts per billion) of glyphosate. This health benchmark is based on the risks of lifetime exposure, because small, repeated exposures can add up if someone eats food containing glyphosate every day.
Oat-based foods are a healthy source of fiber and nutrients for children and adults, and oat consumption is linked to health benefits such as lowered cholesterol and decreased cardiovascular risk. Parents should not have to wonder whether feeding their children these heathy foods will also expose them to a pesticide that increases the risk of cancer.
Below is a complete list of foods that contain glyphosate residues. This is data from both the report EWG released, as well as the reports released from Food Democracy Now! and the group’s “Detox Project.”
EWG Report:
• Granola – Back to Nature Classic Granola – Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisins & Almonds – Back to Nature Banana Walnut Granola Clusters – Nature Valley Granola Protein Oats ‘n Honey – KIND Vanilla, Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds
• Instant Oats – Giant Instant Oatmeal, Original Flavor – Quaker Dinosaur Eggs, Brown Sugar, Instant Oatmeal – Umpqua Oats, Maple Pecan – Market Pantry Instant Oatmeal, Strawberries & Cream
• Oat Breakfast Cereal – Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal – Lucky Charms – Barbara’s Multigrain Spoonfuls, Original, Cereal – Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran oat cereal
• Snack Bars – KIND Oats & Honey with Toasted Coconut – Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Oats ‘n Honey – Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chip granola bar – Kellogg’s Nutrigrain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars, Strawberry
• Whole Oats
– Quaker Steel Cut Oats
– Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
– Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats
– Nature’s Path Organic Old Fashioned Organic Oats
– Whole Foods Bulk Bin conventional rolled oats
– Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (4 samples tested)
EWG Second Report :
– Quaker Simply Granola Oats – Quaker Instant Oatmeal Cinnamon & Spice – Quaker Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon – Quaker Real Medleys Super Grains Banana Walnut – Quaker Overnight Oats Raisin Walnut & Honey Heaven – Quaker Overnight Oats Unsweetened with Chia Seeds – Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar – Quaker Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut – Apple Cinnamon Cheerios – Very Berry Cheerios – Chocolate Cheerios – Frosted Cheerios – Fruity Cheerios – Honey Nut Cheerios – Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon – Quaker Chewy S’mores – Quaker Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip – Quaker Breakfast Squares Soft Baked Bars Peanut Butter – Quaker Breakfast Flats Crispy Snack Bars Cranberry Almond
Moms Across America:
– Tropicana Orange Juice – Minute Maid Orange Juice – Stater Bros Orange Juice – Signature Farms Orange Juice – Kirkland Orange Juice
Food Democracy Now! and The Detox Project :
– Original Cheerios – Honey Nut Cheerios – Wheaties – Trix – Annie’s Gluten Free Bunny Cookies Cocoa & Vanilla – Kellogg's Corn Flakes – Kellogg's Raisin Bran – Kashi Organic Promise – Kellogg's Special K – Kellogg's Frosted Flakes – Cheez-It Original – Cheez-It Whole Grain – Kashi Soft Bake Cookies, Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate – Ritz Crackers – Triscuit Crackers – Oreo Original – Oreo Double Stuff Chocolate Sandwich Cookies – Oreo Double Stuff Golden Sandwich Cookies – Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita Chips (Frito-Lay) – Lay’s: Kettle Cooked Original – Doritos: Cool Ranch – Fritos (Original) (100% Whole Grain) – Goldfish crackers original (Pepperidge Farm) – Goldfish crackers colors – Goldfish crackers Whole Grain – Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies – Oatmeal Cookies Gluten Free – 365 Organic Golden Round Crackers – Back to Nature Crispy Cheddar Crackers
Other Brands/Products and Miscellaneous:
– Ben & Jerry’s Ice Creams – Tampons – Non-organic cotton clothing products – Rainwater – Groundwater supplies