Glyphosate in Your Oats: What You Need to Know About the Hidden Danger in Your Favorite Oat-Based Foods

Glyphosate in Your Oats: What You Need to Know About the Hidden Danger in Your Favorite Oat-Based Foods

For many health-conscious consumers, opting for organic foods has become the go-to choice for avoiding harmful chemicals. But what if I told you that even eating all organic might not be enough to protect you from certain toxic substances? A recent study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed shocking results about glyphosate — the active ingredient in the world’s most widely-used weed killer, Roundup — found in many oat-based products like cereal, granola, instant oats, and bars.

The Shocking Glyphosate Findings

The study tested 45 samples of oat-based products made with conventional oats and 16 samples made with organically grown oats. The results were startling, especially for those who assume organic foods are free from harmful pesticides.

• Conventional Oats: 31 of the 45 samples contained glyphosate at levels of 160 ppb (parts per billion) or more, exceeding the levels considered safe by the EWG for children’s health.

• Organic Oats: While organic oats are supposed to be free from glyphosate, the study found glyphosate levels ranging from 10 ppb to 30 ppb in five of the 16 samples tested. Although these levels are below the EWG’s health benchmark, the presence of glyphosate in organic foods raises serious concerns.

How did this toxic herbicide make its way into organic foods, given that organic farming prohibits its use? One potential cause is cross-contamination during processing or transportation, or glyphosate drifting from nearby conventional fields. It’s clear that even organic options are not entirely immune to this dangerous chemical.

The Hidden Dangers of Glyphosate

Glyphosate isn’t just a simple herbicide. It’s the active ingredient in Roundup and is used worldwide on a variety of crops, from corn and soy to oats, wheat, fruits, and vegetables. Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide, meaning it’s absorbed by the plant and distributed throughout its tissues to kill it. It’s applied not just to destroy weeds but also in a process called dessication — a practice where glyphosate is sprayed just before harvest to dry out crops and prepare them for faster harvesting.

While many assume glyphosate is only used on genetically modified (GMO) crops, it is also commonly used on non-GMO crops like oats, barley, and wheat. In fact, glyphosate application before harvest has become routine in North America over the past 15 years.

Glyphosate and Cancer Concerns

For years, glyphosate was thought to be safe, but recent studies have raised major concerns about its potential health risks. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. The chemical has been linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer.

In one of the landmark legal cases against Monsanto (the company that originally developed Roundup), a California jury awarded $289 million in damages to a man who developed cancer after years of using Roundup as a school groundskeeper. While herbicide makers and regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have downplayed these concerns, ongoing research and legal battles highlight the growing concerns around glyphosate’s carcinogenic potential.

Glyphosate’s Impact on Gut Health

But cancer isn’t the only health concern associated with glyphosate. Another major issue is its disruption of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is made up of billions of beneficial bacteria that play a crucial role in everything from digestion to immune function. Glyphosate targets the shikimate pathway, which is found in many bacteria but not in humans. While this pathway doesn’t exist in humans, it is present in bacteria, including the beneficial bacteria in our gut. When glyphosate kills off these beneficial bacteria, harmful pathogens like Clostridium botulinum can flourish, leading to a disrupted gut environment.

This disruption is linked to a variety of health conditions, including:

• Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., IBS, Crohn’s disease)

• Mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety)

• Metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity, heart disease)

• Autism, infertility, Alzheimer’s disease, and autoimmune disorders.

As more research uncovers the ways glyphosate affects the human body, the scope of the problem becomes increasingly concerning.

Environmental Consequences

In addition to its health risks, glyphosate also has significant environmental impacts. The widespread use of glyphosate has led to weed resistance, requiring farmers to apply more of the chemical to achieve the same effects. This not only escalates the risk of exposure but also harms the environment.

Other environmental issues tied to glyphosate include:

• Monarch butterfly decline: Glyphosate use has been linked to the reduction of milkweed, the main food source for monarch butterflies.

• Honeybee population: Bees exposed to glyphosate suffer from disruptions to their gut microbiome, leaving them more vulnerable to disease and death.

These problems have prompted several countries to ban or restrict glyphosate, including Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia, and others. In the U.S., towns and cities are starting to take action against this dangerous chemical, but the fight is far from over.

What You Can Do: Protect Yourself and Your Family

The best way to reduce exposure to glyphosate is by choosing organic foods whenever possible. However, even organic foods can contain trace amounts of glyphosate due to contamination, so it's important to stay informed.

The EWG's study highlights several brands and products that have higher glyphosate levels, and some that are relatively safer.

Products potentially dangerous for children (due to high glyphosate levels):

• Back to Nature Classic Granola

• Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisin and Almonds

• Nature Valley Granola Protein Oats ‘n Honey

• Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal

• Lucky Charms (without marshmallows)

Products with lower levels of glyphosate or none at all:

• No Glyphosate Detected: Nature’s Path Organic Honey Almond Granola, Simple Truth Organic Instant Oatmeal, Kashi Heart to Heart Organic Honey Toasted Cereal.

• Contains Safe Amounts: KIND Vanilla, Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds, Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats.

Final Thoughts

Glyphosate contamination in food — organic or not — is an issue that deserves attention. Whether you are eating oats for breakfast or grabbing a quick snack, it’s important to be aware of the risks posed by this toxic herbicide. Make informed choices about the foods you consume, look for brands that test their products for glyphosate, and choose organic options whenever possible to reduce your family’s exposure.

The fight against glyphosate isn’t just about cancer; it’s about safeguarding your health and protecting the environment. Let’s take action to reduce our reliance on harmful chemicals and protect the future of our food.

Citation: https://centerforintegrativehealth.com/blogs/think-twice-before-you-roundup-some-more-oats