Healthy Living on on May 27 2016 by Bob's Red Mill
Dear Customers,
Since Bob milled our first whole grain flours back in 1978, providing our customers with safe, top quality, minimally processed foods has been the very foundation of our company. Quality and safety are pivotal in our mission to make the world a healthier place with whole grain foods.
From our commitment to meeting the highest food safety standards in the country, to our dedicated gluten free production, strict organic protocols and our Sourced Non-GMO Pledge, we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products.
Recently, customers have contacted us with concerns about the use of the herbicide glyphosate on our whole grain oats. Glyphosate is a farming aid used for weed control and crop desiccation. For non-organically grown agriculture, the USDA has approved the use of glyphosate. For USDA Organic products, the use of glyphosate is strictly prohibited under their regulations.
We listened to your concerns and took action on this issue. In response to our customers, we worked with our oat suppliers to put an end to their use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant for all varieties of Bob’s Red Mill oats. We look forward to continuing our mission to make the world a healthier place with whole grain foods and stand behind both our products and our dedication to safety, quality and transparency.
Thank you for believing in Bob’s and entrusting us with your health.
Questions? Please contact [emailprotected]
40 Comments
L King
Can we now safely say that Bob's Red Mill Oats are glyphosate free? I would like to avoid GMOs and foods that contain pesticides as well. I can not afford to buy all organic, which is almost twice the price as your regular packages.
jlockley
There is no such thing as GMO oats. Glyphosate is sprayed on wheat and oats before harvesting to aid in desiccating them.
Jan Gyma
I am very concerned about the practice of spraying wheat with glyphosate. Can you tell me if this practice is used in processing the wheat that you sell. Can I assume All organic flour is free from it or just yours? Also do you sell organic bread flour? Just started using your organic flour and will continue to use it especially if it's glyphosate free.
We have more information here, on our website http://www.bobsredmill.com/blog/featured-articles/glyphosate/.
Because we at Bob’s Red Mill are dedicated to bringing all of our customers natural, healthy products, whether organic or conventional, we have inquired directly with farmers and with our suppliers to determine if glyphosate desiccation is used by the farmers supplying our products. The majority of our conventional wheat is grown close to home in the Pacific Northwest where growing seasons are typically longer and the practice of desiccation is as such rarely used. We’ve been told desiccation is not a practice used by our individual farmers. The growing, harvest and communal storage practices sometimes used by the wheat industry in general make it nearly impossible, however, for our multi-source suppliers to guarantee the practice of glyphosate desiccation is not used with all of the conventional wheat the suppliers sell to us.We are able to assure our customers, however, that glyphosate desiccation is not a practice used for our organic products as the use of glyphosate is not permitted at any time in the cultivation of our organically grown ingredients. Our Customers who desire to be certain that glyphosate has not been used may wish to choose instead from our extensive line of certified organic products.
Michelle Garza
I'm so sad to hear about glysophate being present in the gluten free oats. Why do you not provide an organic gluten free quick pay option? I feel horrible that I just thought to research this now as I've trusted the name and have been feeding my three girls the gluten free quick oats for years. I'm so worried about their exposure now.
Perhaps I'm misunderstanding some of the comments here, but it appears to me some people are expecting all the products sold by Bob's Red Mill to be organic. I started purchasing items from this web site a few years ago and I never had any trouble finding the 'organic' offerings and understanding if the product didn't say 'organic' then I should not expect that it was.
USA organic standards are so messed up now it's hard to have much faith in them but businesses like Bob's Red Mill give me hope that at least I'm getting what I expect, but I'm also ordering products that say 'organic'.
To anyone that thinks 'all' products should just automatically be organic, I'd suggest do a bit of study. Learn what it takes to become a certified organic farmer. Learn what it takes to offer a facility that guarantees the grains were processed in a whatever 'free of' facility. Look at the estimated costs to famers and businesses to be able to provide these offerings. Then read the labels and be prepared to help pay for the investment required to eat better food.
Tiffany Cale
Thank you for honestly answering the question about glyphosate in your products. There are other companies offering organic products that Bob’s does not now offer - organic oat flour, organic sorghum flour and so forth. I hope that at some point Bob’s will offer such products and I will gladly return as a customer at that time.
Cara Carluzzo
Hello,
I pray that what you say is true about your organic oatmeal products and glycophsate. My 2 children ages 5 and 2 and a half eat your organic oatmeal EVERY DAY. I am hoping that the pesticide is not used in this product. Please let me know. I want my kids to be healthy.
Thank you
Whitney Barnes
Hi Cara, synthetic herbicides and pesticides (like glyphosate) are not allowed during the growing process of any USDA Organic foods. Our Organic Oats are grown under these same guidelines. Thank you for trusting us with your health!
janine
I'm wondering if your organic oats in a cup (classic with flax and chia - blue cup) have glyphosate on them? I'm guessing the "classic" is the same as "rolled oats?"
Whitney Barnes
Hi Janine, here at Bob's Red Mill, quality and safety are fundamental to our mission to make the world a healthier place with whole grain foods. Our products have always met and exceeded all regulatory safety standards based on scientific research, and we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products. We’re committed to working with our farmers to end the use of glyphosate in the cultivation of all oats used in Bob’s Red Mill products.
We vet the farmers who supply our raw grains and other ingredients carefully to ensure each meets our high standards for quality. For those who are looking for different options, we have a full line of products certified organic by the USDA.The use of glyphosate is absolutely forbidden in the cultivation and processing of organic oats.
Mel Meister
Based on research reported today, Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut oats have potentially unsafe levels of glyphosate.
Bob's Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats have glyphosate, but not as much as the Steel Cut oats.Here is a link to the study: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/health-news/study-weed-killer-linked-to-cancer-found-in-kids-cereal-oatmeal/1373029686
I need to know if the organic version of your Steel Cut oats is safe to eat. It wasn't mentioned in the study.
Thank you.
It was tested and the organic steel cut oats do contain glyphosate, and I’ve been feeding the organic steel cut oats to my 1.5yr old son daily for the past year.
Whitney Barnes
Hi Mel,
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Barbara Thompson
That being said your organic oats made the list. Why is that?
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-biz-cheerios-oats-contain-weed-killer-ingredient-20180816-story.html
Whitney Barnes
Hi Barbara,
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Elizabeth
I would like to know how your partner is "actively committed to eliminating the presence of glyphosate". I realize this takes time. But If there is anything you could say in terms of steps the partner supplier is taking that would be great :)
Whitney Barnes
Hi Jessica, from our commitment to meeting the highest food safety standards in the country, to our dedicated gluten free production, strict organic protocols and our Sourced Non-GMO Pledge, we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products. We vet the farmers who supply our raw grains and other ingredients carefully to ensure each meets our high standards for quality. For those who are looking for different options, we have a full line of products certified organic by the USDA. The use of glyphosate is absolutely forbidden in the cultivation and processing of organic oats.
Bryan Stone
Although I agree glyphosate is scientifically proven to destroy bacteria in the gut, I'm not clear on why there are those of us so scared of GMOs. Breeding is essentially a form of GMO. You breed for and select specific traits. Often times the medicines that have made the biggest difference are "GMOs". As an individual with extensive nutritional background both via secondary education as well as lifestyle, it would appear that headline news has captured people's attention. I hope that Bob's Red Mill products make an effort towards the removal of glyphosate. As for GMOs, unless labeled organic, there is no reason, in my mind, to remove GMOs from your products. All that said, one would be hard-pressed to find GMO oats. Not enough money in it probably.
Kandee kohl
I love your products I live in Arizona and always use your products.i have family in Oregon and I drive there and stock up. thanks for the tip on the weed killer. I was concerned. Will keep using your products.
Please contact Kroger to get more organic steel oats on the shelf. No Glyphosate - please
Dema Zeid
My kids eat Bob's red Mill organic steel cut oats. Does this have glyphosate in it?
Whitney Barnes
Hi Dema, we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products. We vet the farmers who supply our raw grains and other ingredients carefully to ensure each meets our high standards for quality. The use of glyphosate is absolutely forbidden in the cultivation and processing of organic oats.
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Suzanne C Cattanach
You need to address, to your customers who took the time to come here and ask, the story that was widely disseminated about the large number of oat cereals containing dangerous amounts of glyphosate and those containing "acceptable" amounts, and products from your company made both of those lists. I was expecting when I buy a Bob's Red Mill product, as I suspect many of your customers do also, to not find ANY. I would have expected something right on the Bob's Red Mill home page addressing this issue.
Whitney Barnes
Hi Suzanne, we understand your sentiments and we thank you for taking the time to contact us. Here at Bob's Red Mill, quality and safety are fundamental to our mission to make the world a healthier place with whole grain foods.
Our products have always met and exceeded all regulatory safety standards based on scientific research, and we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products. We’re committed to working with our farmers to end the use of glyphosate in the cultivation of all oats used in Bob’s Red Mill products.
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
I am very disappointed to learn that Bob's has shown up in the EWG report for glyphosate in oats. Can you please explain how this occurred?
Whitney Barnes
Hi Ann, our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
From our commitment to meeting the highest food safety standards in the country, to our dedicated gluten free production, strict organic protocols and our Sourced Non-GMO Pledge, we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products.
Leslie
Have the organic, gluten free, steel cut oats been TESTED for glyphosate contamination, or is it just assumed by BRM that organic suppliers are not using it?
Whitney Barnes
Hi Leslie, we vet the farmers who supply our raw grains and other ingredients carefully to ensure each meets our high standards for quality. Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Whitney Barnes
Hi Greg, we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products. Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
I am extremely disappointed about the news recently published about your organic products. Your earlier comments urged customers to buy organic to avoid glyphosate. This is a false sense of security. I’ve been feeding my 1.5yr old (highest risk) son your organic steel cut oats DAILY for the past year and a half. I felt like I was providing him with a safe and nutritious breakfast option. This is completely unacceptable.
Whitney Barnes
Hi AC,
From our commitment to meeting the highest food safety standards in the country, to our dedicated gluten free production, strict organic protocols and our Sourced Non-GMO Pledge, we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products.
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Whitney Barnes
Hi Emese,
Here at Bob's Red Mill, quality and safety are fundamental to our mission to make the world a healthier place with whole grain foods. Our products have always met and exceeded all regulatory safety standards based on scientific research, and we are continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products. We’re committed to working with our farmers to end the use of glyphosate in the cultivation of all oats used in Bob’s Red Mill products.
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Whitney Barnes
Hi Roy,
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Whitney Barnes
Hi Colin,
Our farmers of organic oats are 100% committed to growing their crops by the rules of the National Organic Program. The use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant isn’t allowed in the growing of organic oats. Unfortunately, even with the rules, it’s still possible for glyphosate to blow over from other non-organic farms. Even still, choosing organic is the best way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in foods.
Miya Cho
Glyphosate should not be in our food supply. Bob's red mill please demand that your farmers not use glyphosate and periodically test your grain products to verify that glyphosate is not being used. As consumers we need to have confidence that our food is not contaminated and is healthy and safe for our families.
J Hamm
Dear Bob's Redmill, I have enjoyed using several of your products for many years. I see that you are aware of the glyphosate contamination found in some of your products and are working to eliminate or reduce it. I hope that your company can become a force for change in the food industry. Consumer trust in food saftey/ purity is low. I challenge your company to to be very transparent, have additional testing done on your products, and publish those results for consumers. I would buy more of your products instead of your competitors if you would use a third party to insure that your products are the cleanest available on the market. Glyphosate in wheat flour is a big concern of mine. I would like to buy non organic non GMO non glyphosate wheat flour. As you suggested, I will share these concerns with the USDA too. Please let all of your suppliers know that consumers want pesticide free food and are willing to pay more for it. Thanks for listening to your consumers.
Whitney Barnes
Thank you for your feedback, we will pass it along to our team here.
Frederick
If your organic oatmeal products are glyphosate-free, why are you no longer offering them for sale and label them as "out of stock"? Vitacost says you have withdrawn the product. I've eaten Bob's Red Mill Organic oatmeal daily for at least eight years, perhaps longer!
Whitney Barnes
Hi Frederick, if any are out of stock it is due to their popularity and is only temporarily. Typically our products are restocked on our website in just a few days. You can find all of our Oatmeal Cups here: Bob's Red Mill Oatmeal Cups. All flavors are also currently available on VitaCost.
