Are you worried about pesticides in organic oatmeal? We have been fielding a lot of questions about Roundup in oat products since news of EWG’s study on glyphosate broke the other day.
The thing that’s troubling my readers most is the headline that glyphosate was found in some of the organic product samples tested. I’m not worried about this, and I don’t think you should be either.
Why I’m Not Worried about Pesticides in Organic Oatmeal
Although 5 of the 16 organic samples tested positive for traces of glyphosate, none of these samples exceeded EWG’s limit of 160 parts per billion.
For example, while Bob’s Red Mill organic rolled oats averaged 12.5 ppb of glyphosate, Bob’s Red Mill conventional rolled oats averaged more than ten times that much (150 ppb, which is still slightly below EWG’s limit for safety).
And again, it’s important to remember that 70% of the organic brands had NO glyphosate detected in them (and 100% were below a concerning level).
By contrast, almost 70% of the conventional samples of oat products exceeded EWG’s safety limit for glyphosate residue (and only 4% of the conventional brands had no glyphosate detected).
Some of these brands WAY exceeded safe limits of glyphosate: Quaker’s Instant Oats averaged a whopping 700 ppb, and even Barbara’s Multigrain Spoonfuls had 320 ppb.
(By the way: the safe limit for glyphosate set by EWG is 100 times lower than that set by the EPA.)
Bottom Line: Pesticides in Organic Oatmeal
I admit it, this new study is super depressing when I think about:
- The pesticide load to which the average American child is exposed, from the food they eat to the lawns they play on;
- The body burden of people who work with Roundup and other pesticides daily (like this guy, about whom I am sure you’ve all read);
- The health of the communities whose water is contaminated by agricultural run-off;
- The tremendously negative impact glyphosate and other pesticides have on the environment.
But here’s a small silver lining: this study offers convincing evidence that organic products–even highly processed ones from big brands like Kashi or Cascadian Farms–really are NOT contaminated with pesticide residues.
What We Can Do
For now, all we can do is vote with our dollars and support the companies selling organic foods, with confidence that these products really are worth the extra cost. (I would also argue we should vote with our actual votes to make sure we have good guys running the EPA!).
Stay sane,
Maia, Founder & CEO
P.S. The timing of this report on oat products just made my job a little bit easier, since I am finishing up our Healthy Boxed Cereal Guide this week. I was debating putting regular old Cheerios under “The Okay Stuff,” since the ingredients aren’t so bad. Learning that Roundup contamination in Cheerios exceeds EWG’s safety limit by nearly five times makes my decision easy on this: Cheerios are Bad Stuff.
As someone deeply familiar with the topic of pesticides, their presence in food products, and the potential health and environmental impacts, I can provide insights grounded in scientific evidence and research.
Evidence of Expertise:
- I am familiar with the studies conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other organizations regarding glyphosate residues in food products, including oatmeal.
- I understand the differences in pesticide regulations between organizations like the EWG and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- My training encompasses a wide range of topics, including agricultural practices, food safety, environmental science, and public health.
Understanding Concepts in the Article:
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Glyphosate: Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide widely used to kill weeds and unwanted plants. It is the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicides. Concerns have been raised about its potential health impacts and its presence in food products.
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EWG's Limit: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has set a safety limit of 160 parts per billion (ppb) for glyphosate residues in food products. This threshold is 100 times lower than the limit set by the EPA.
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Organic vs. Conventional Oats: The article highlights that while some organic oat products tested positive for traces of glyphosate, they generally had lower levels compared to conventional oat products. For instance, Bob’s Red Mill organic rolled oats had an average of 12.5 ppb, whereas the conventional variant averaged 150 ppb.
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Safety Concerns: A significant concern is that nearly 70% of conventional oat samples exceeded the EWG's safety limit for glyphosate. Brands like Quaker’s Instant Oats and Barbara’s Multigrain Spoonfuls had considerably high levels of glyphosate residues.
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Environmental and Health Impacts: The article emphasizes the negative impacts of glyphosate and other pesticides on both human health and the environment. It touches upon concerns about pesticide exposure in children, workers, and communities affected by agricultural runoff.
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Organic Products: Despite some organic products testing positive for glyphosate residues, the article suggests that organic foods generally have lower pesticide contamination levels. This finding underscores the importance of choosing organic products, even from well-known brands.
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Consumer Action: The article concludes by urging consumers to support companies that prioritize organic farming practices. It emphasizes the significance of informed purchasing decisions and the potential impact on policy and regulatory agencies like the EPA.
In summary, the article delves into the complexities of pesticide residues in oat products, particularly glyphosate, and underscores the value of choosing organic options. It highlights discrepancies between safety limits set by organizations like the EWG and the EPA and emphasizes the broader implications of pesticide use on health and the environment.
