Is There Glyphosate in Oatmeal?

🔑 Key Findings

95% of conventional oat products tested by EWG contained glyphosate.

Quaker Oatmeal Squares historically had some of the highest levels, though recent tests show a decline.

Organic isn't magic, but it's much better—residues are rare and usually below health benchmarks.

Kellogg's pledged to stop using glyphosate as a drying agent by the end of 2025, but General Mills and Quaker have not made similar hard commitments.

The Short Answer

Yes, but it depends on the brand. If you are buying conventional (non-organic) oatmeal from major brands like Quaker or General Mills, you are likely eating small amounts of glyphosate.

The good news? Levels are dropping. Thanks to consumer pressure and major Canadian suppliers stopping the practice of "desiccation" (spraying oats to dry them out), recent tests from 2024-2026 show lower levels than the skyrocketing numbers seen in 2018.

However, lower isn't zero. For a truly clean bowl, you need to buy Certified Organic or look for the "Glyphosate Residue Free" seal.

Why This Matters

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the most widely used herbicide in the world. The World Health Organization classifies it as a "probable human carcinogen."

It's not just about cancer risk. Emerging research suggests glyphosate acts as an antibiotic in the gut, potentially disrupting your microbiome. Since oats are often a daily breakfast staple for children, even "safe" legal limits can add up to a significant cumulative load over time. Is Oatmeal Healthy

The EPA sets the legal limit for glyphosate in oats at 30,000 ppb (parts per billion). The Environmental Working Group (EWG) argues that for child safety, the limit should be 160 ppb. Many conventional brands pass the EPA's loose standard but fail the EWG's safety benchmark.

What's Actually In Your Oats

It's not just the oats themselves—it's how they are harvested. Farmers often spray non-organic oats with glyphosate right before harvest to kill the crop and dry it out evenly. This process, called desiccation, is why oats often have higher glyphosate levels than other crops.

Conventional Oats — Almost guaranteed to have glyphosate residues. Often used as a desiccant. Is Quaker Oatmeal Clean
Organic Oats — Farmers are prohibited from using glyphosate. Residues are rare and usually come from drift (wind blowing from a neighbor's farm).
Sprouted Oats — Often cleaner because the sprouting process requires high-quality, viable grains that haven't been drenched in chemicals.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

USDA Organic Seal — The first line of defense.
"Glyphosate Residue Free" Seal — The gold standard. Verified by The Detox Project to have no detectable levels (usually <10 ppb).
"Sprouted" — Usually indicates higher quality processing and testing.

Red Flags:

"100% Natural" — Meaningless marketing fluff. These can still be sprayed with Roundup.
Conventional "Quick Oats" — Highly processed and often from bulk conventional sources that mix batches from many farms.
Store Brands — Generic brands (Great Value, Market Pantry) often test with inconsistent and sometimes high levels.

The Best Options

Here is how popular brands stack up based on recent independent testing and certifications.

Brand	Product	Verdict	Why
One Degree	Sprouted Organic Oats	✅	Certified Glyphosate Residue Free. The cleanest option on the market.
Nature's Path	Organic Oats	✅	consistently tests clean (ND) in independent labs.
Bob's Red Mill	Organic Oats	⚠️	Generally clean, but occasional low detections found in organic samples.
Quaker	Old Fashioned Oats	🚫	History of high glyphosate levels. Use caution. Is Quaker Oatmeal Clean
General Mills	Cheerios / Oats	🚫	Frequently tests positive, though levels are improving.

The Bottom Line

1. Switch to Organic. It is the single most effective way to reduce your exposure to glyphosate in oats immediately.

2. Check for the Seal. If you want 100% peace of mind, buy brands like One Degree or Mush that are third-party certified "Glyphosate Residue Free."

3. Avoid Conventional Bulk. The "healthy" bulk bin oats at the grocery store are often conventional and loaded with residues.

FAQ

Does washing oats remove glyphosate?

No. Glyphosate is a "systemic" herbicide, meaning it is absorbed inside the plant tissue. You cannot wash, cook, or peel it off.

Is Quaker Oats organic safe?

mostly. Quaker's organic line is significantly cleaner than their conventional line. However, they do not carry the "Glyphosate Residue Free" certification, so cross-contamination is possible. Is Quaker Oatmeal Clean

What about steel-cut oats?

They are slightly better. Steel-cut oats are less processed than instant oats, but if they are conventional (non-organic), they are still grown with the same chemicals. Always choose organic steel-cut. Steel Cut Vs Rolled Oats

References (10)

🛒 Product Recommendations

✅

One Degree Organic Sprouted Oats

One Degree

Certified Glyphosate Residue Free and fully transparent sourcing.

Recommended

✅

Organic Old Fashioned Oats

Nature's Path

Consistent track record of testing clean in independent labs.

Recommended

🚫

Old Fashioned Oats

Quaker

Frequently tests positive for glyphosate, though levels are dropping.

Avoid

✅

Overnight Oats (Various Flavors)

Mush

One of the few ready-to-eat oat brands that is **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free** by The Detox Project. They use a cold-soaking process that preserves nutrients without the heat processing that often concentrates residues.

Recommended

✅

Organic Muesli

Seven Sundays

This brand goes beyond organic by testing their final products for residues. Their oat-based mueslis are **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free**, and they source from regenerative farms that focus on soil health.

Recommended

✅

Double Protein Organic Oats

Zego

Sets the industry standard for transparency by publishing **batch-specific test results** for every product. You can scan the QR code on your specific bag to see the lab report for glyphosate, heavy metals, and gluten.

Recommended

✅

Organic Oatmilk

Califia Farms

While many oat milks use conventional oats, this specific organic line is **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free**. It contains just three ingredients (water, oats, salt) with no gums or oils.

Recommended

✅

Original Granola

Back Roads

The first granola company to achieve **Glyphosate Residue Free certification**. They use 100% organic ingredients and small-batch baking to ensure strict control over their supply chain.

Recommended

✅

Organic Instant Oatmeal

Simple Truth (Kroger)

A surprisingly clean budget option. Independent testing by the EWG found **no detectable glyphosate** in this store-brand organic oatmeal, making it a safer accessible choice than major name brands.

Recommended

✅

Organic Oat Non-Dairy Beverage

Kirkland Signature (Costco)

Unlike their conventional bulk oats (which you should avoid), Costco's **organic oat milk** is **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free** by The Detox Project. A rare verified clean option at a bulk price point.

Recommended

✅

Superfood Oatmeal

Laird Superfood

Tested and **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free**. These instant blends combine clean oats with functional ingredients like chia seeds and coconut sugar, avoiding the 'natural flavors' found in conventional packets.

Recommended

👌

Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

365 by Whole Foods Market

Consistently performs well in independent spot checks, with **no detectable glyphosate** found in EWG testing. A reliable, widely available organic staple, though it lacks the third-party 'Residue Free' seal of top-tier brands.

Acceptable

👌

Heart to Heart Organic Honey Toasted Cereal

Kashi

One of the few major cereal brands to test with **no detectable glyphosate** residues in independent studies. While owned by Kellogg's, this specific organic line has maintained a cleaner track record than its conventional counterparts.

Acceptable

✅

Organic Chewy Oat Bar Mix

Foodstirs

The first organic baking mix to be **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free**. A safe alternative for home baking, avoiding the residues often found in conventional flour and oat mixes.

Recommended

✅

Gluten Free Oats

Avena Foods / Only Oats

Uses a strict **Purity Protocol** to ensure oats are free from both gluten and glyphosate. They are **Certified Glyphosate Residue Free**, making them a top choice for those with celiac disease who also want to avoid herbicides.

Recommended

👌

Organic Harvest Berry Granola Bar

Cascadian Farm

Tested **non-detect** for glyphosate in EWG studies. While owned by General Mills, this specific organic product has avoided the contamination issues plaguing the parent company's conventional lines like Cheerios.

Acceptable

✅

Zero Sugar Oatmilk

Chobani

Surprisingly, Chobani's oat milk line has achieved **Glyphosate Residue Free certification** from The Detox Project. This applies to their oat milk specifically, ensuring a clean option in the dairy aisle.

Recommended

🚫

Oatmeal Squares

Quaker

Consistently tests with some of the **highest glyphosate levels** in the industry. In EWG tests, samples of this product exceeded the children's safety benchmark by significant margins.

Avoid

🚫

Honey Nut Cheerios

General Mills

Frequently flagged in independent testing. Multiple studies have found glyphosate levels well above the EWG's 160 ppb health benchmark, likely due to the use of **conventional oats sprayed with desiccants**.

Avoid

🚫

Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal

Beech-Nut

Recent tests have found concerning glyphosate levels in this baby food. In 2023 EWG testing, it had the **two highest detectable levels** among conventional baby products, while competitors like Gerber tested clean.

Avoid

🚫

Crunchy Granola Bars (Oats 'n Honey)

Nature Valley

Made with conventional oats that are often desiccated with glyphosate. Independent tests regularly detect high residues, sometimes exceeding **300-400 ppb**, far above the safety threshold for children.

Avoid

🚫

Original Instant Oatmeal

Great Value (Walmart)

A budget brand that fails on safety. Tests have shown high levels of glyphosate, consistent with **generic conventional oat sourcing** that mixes batches from various farms without strict residue controls.

Avoid

🚫

Extra Creamy Oatmilk

Silk

One of the few oat milks to test positive for glyphosate in recent Mamavation studies (detecting **14 ppb**). Without organic certification or a residue-free seal, it lacks the safety assurances of competitors.

Avoid

⚠️

Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal

McCann's

While marketed as a premium import, it is **not organic** and has tested positive for glyphosate residues. The 'Non-GMO' label does not prevent farmers from spraying Roundup pre-harvest.

Use Caution

🚫

Steel Cut Oats (Conventional)

Bob's Red Mill

Distinct from their organic line. The conventional version of these oats tested with **300 ppb** of glyphosate in independent studies, proving that even 'healthy' brands have contaminated conventional lines.

Avoid

⚠️

Organic Oat Milk

Malk

Despite being organic, this brand tested positive for low levels of glyphosate (**12 ppb**) in a 2023 study, likely due to drift or cross-contamination. A reminder that organic certification alone isn't always a guarantee.

Use Caution

⚠️

Rolled Oats

Kirkland Signature (Costco)

These bulk oats are **not organic** and Costco does not publish pesticide test results for them. Given the high risk of desiccation in conventional bulk oats, they are a risky choice compared to their certified oat milk.

Use Caution

🚫

Cracklin' Oat Bran

Kellogg's

Heavy processing does not remove herbicides. This cereal has tested with glyphosate levels around **250 ppb**, well over the limit considered safe for daily consumption by children.

Avoid

🚫

Instant Oatmeal (Strawberries & Cream)

Market Pantry (Target)

Target's store brand has shown high contamination levels in past testing. Like other generic instant oats, it relies on the **conventional commodity oat market** where glyphosate desiccation is standard practice.

Avoid

⚠️

Multigrain Spoonfuls

Barbara's

Often confused for a cleaner health brand, but this specific cereal has tested with **significant glyphosate residues** (over 300 ppb in some tests). Always check for the organic seal on this brand's products.

Use Caution

⚠️

Maple Pecan Oatmeal

Umpqua Oats

Marketed as a premium on-the-go breakfast, but testing has revealed **glyphosate contamination**. Without organic certification, premium pricing does not equal product purity.

Use Caution

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Is There Glyphosate in Oatmeal?

TL;DR

🔑 Key Findings

The Short Answer

Why This Matters

What's Actually In Your Oats

What to Look For

The Best Options

The Bottom Line

FAQ

Does washing oats remove glyphosate?

Is Quaker Oats organic safe?

What about steel-cut oats?

🛒 Product Recommendations

📖 Related Research

Is Oatmeal Healthy? The Truth About Glyphosate and Chlormequat

Is Instant Oatmeal as Healthy as Regular?

Steel-Cut vs Rolled Oats — Which Is Healthier?

More about Breakfast

Search Crunchy

TL;DR

🔑 Key Findings

The Short Answer

Why This Matters

What's Actually In Your Oats

What to Look For

The Best Options

The Bottom Line

FAQ

Does washing oats remove glyphosate?

Is Quaker Oats organic safe?

What about steel-cut oats?

🛒 Product Recommendations

📖 Related Research

Is Oatmeal Healthy? The Truth About Glyphosate and Chlormequat

Is Instant Oatmeal as Healthy as Regular?

Steel-Cut vs Rolled Oats — Which Is Healthier?

More about Breakfast