According to the non-profit environmental advocacy organization, the latest data found 26 of the 28 products tested contained glyphosate – the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller – in levels ‘higher than what EWG scientist consider protective of children’s health.’
A case of fearmongering?
However, General Mills and Quaker have hit back, claiming the study is misleading and their products are safe.
In a statement, Quaker said: ‘EWG’s 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.’
General Mills added it follows the ‘very strict rules’ set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA’s legal limit for glyphosate on oats is 30 parts per million (or 30,000 parts per billion).
EWG’s health benchmark for glyphosate is 0.01mg per day (equating to 160ppb).
However, Monsanto has also retaliated, stating that all levels reported by the EWG in the new study are far below EPA’s limits.
‘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,’ it said.
EWG’s latest report lists glyphosate found in the following products:
- 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