Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, was found in 26 of the 28 products the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested, in levels “higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health.”
An earlier report by EGW, an environmental advocacy organization, found similar results.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup, the most heavily used herbicide in the United States. Every year, according to the EWG, more than 250 million pounds of glyphosate is sprayed on American crops.
Quaker and General Mills, though, conclude the products are safe and there is no reason for concern.
“The tests detected glyphosate in all 28 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats. All but two of the 28 samples had levels of glyphosate above EWG’s health benchmark,” the group said in the study.
In a statement, Quaker said: “EWG report artificially creates a 'safe level' for glyphosate that is detached from those that have been established by responsible regulatory bodies in an effort to grab headlines.”
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic to humans" and the Environmental Protection Agency has set a safety level for the potentially dangerous chemical.
"I don't think that people should become hysterical," Sarah Evans, an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told CNN. "But people need to be really aware of where their food is coming from and what's getting into their foods."
Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, strongly disputes the finding that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and notes that over four decades, the EPA has consistently supported the safe and effective use of glyphosate.
In a statement, Monsanto said: "Nothing in the EWG’s new data demonstrate any safety concern associated with the tested products. All levels reported by the EWG are far below the limits EPA established to protect human health. Even at the highest level reported by the EWG (2,837 ppb), an adult would have to eat 81.5 pounds of the oat breakfast cereal every day for the rest of their life to reach the strict limits set by the EPA."
Last week, Monsanto was ordered by a court to pay nearly $78 million to a man who claims his terminal cancer was caused by exposure to Roundup. Hundreds of other cases are working their way through the courts.
Glyphosate was found in the following breakfast items:
Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey & Almonds
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