Does the presence of a little weed-killing chemical make your oatmeal “unnatural"? (2024)

FAQs

Does oatmeal have weed-killer in it? ›

Glyphosate, an ingredient found in weed killers, can be present in oat-based products like cereals and oatmeal. However, trace amounts of glyphosate are safe so long as they do not exceed the tolerable amount established by the EPA.

Cheerios and Quaker Oats might contain chlormequat, a pesticide linked to infertility in animals, according to a new study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Last year, the EWG also found chlormequat in 92% of the oat-based foods tested, including Cheerios and Quaker Oats.

Wildway Organic Rolled Oats, Gluten-Free, Glyphosate-Free, Plant-Based Protein Breakfast Cereal, Snacks with Sustainable, Non-GMO, Planet Friendly Organic Oats, 9 oz, Original.

Chlormequat, a pesticide linked to reproductive and developmental issues in animals, is garnering attention after a study showed that it was prevalent in a number of oat-based foods. This includes brand names like Cheerios and Quaker Oats.

The Quaker Oats pesticide lawsuit is a stark reminder of the potential risks lurking in our breakfast bowls. The lawsuit stems from allegations that Quaker Oats, a well-known brand owned by PepsiCo, has been producing oat-based products containing traces of chlormequat, a widely used herbicide.

The Environmental Working Group commissioned tests of popular breakfast products, including Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal and other breakfast cereals and found low levels of glyphosate, a weedkiller sprayed on crops, in all 28 samples it tested.

If you're looking to get even more out of your morning porridge, there's a quick tip that the registered dietitians we spoke to want you to know: all oats are good, but steel-cut, organic oats are really good. Thick, steel-cut oats are the least processed form of oats.

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

Detoxing from glyphosate and other environmental toxins doesn't require a strict diet, any special supplements, or a patented protocol. Simply incorporating as many high-fiber, nutrient-rich foods (preferably organic) in your diet, as you can will support your body's own detoxification pathways and keep you healthy.

What does glyphosate do to humans? ›

It can be very irritating if it is left on your skin or eyes. Glyphosate has been associated with respiratory effects (lung and nose), such as irritation in the nose, or asthma, in people using glyphosate products.

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.

Nature's Path Old Fashioned Organic Oats.

Pesticide chlormequat found in Cheerios, other oat-based foods: report. The chemical, which is associated with reduced fertility and isn't approved for use on U.S. food crops, was identified in 80% of participants in a new study from the Environmental Working Group.

Healthy Traditions Oats

Healthy Traditions is a U.S. company that imports oats from Italy. These oats are traditionally grown on a single farm using organic practices with no chemical pesticides or herbicides.

Cheerios and many other cereals and grain-based products contain small amounts of an herbicide called glyphosate. It's one of the main ingredients in the widely used weed killer Roundup, and it's been the subject of considerable debate among health experts about whether it is carcinogenic.

Glyphosate is a herbicide commonly used in agriculture, and it's sometimes detected in foods, including oats. However, the levels found in oats are typically well below safety limits set by regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

“Studies in laboratory animals show that chlormequat can cause harm to the normal growth and development of the fetus and damage the reproductive system,” Olga Naidenko, vice president at the EWG, told MarketWatch. Those risks, the EWG report noted, can include reduced fertility.

Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.

Quaker does not use glyphosate, but it is commonly used by oat growers throughout the industry. Once Quaker receives oats from the farms, we rigorously clean them following our stringent internal processes (including de-hulling, cleaning, roasting, and flaking).

Do oats suppress weeds? ›

Including oats in the rotation contributes towards weed control as, in comparison to other cereals, they are effective weed suppressors. Oats are allelopathic, secreting weed-growth inhibiting compounds from their roots.

Cheerios and many other cereals and grain-based products contain small amounts of an herbicide called glyphosate. It's one of the main ingredients in the widely used weed killer Roundup, and it's been the subject of considerable debate among health experts about whether it is carcinogenic.

Conventional farmers spray glyphosate on genetically engineered corn, oats, soybeans and wheat before it is harvested. Consumers also use glyphosate on their lawns and gardeners. Both the nature and severity of human health impacts following exposures to glyphosate herbicides are unknown.

Oats are of particular interest as the herbicide, glyphosate, is used as a desiccant to dry out the crop before harvest. This allows for earlier harvests and greater uniformity of crops. Consequently, glyphosate is typically found at higher levels than other herbicides.