The Short Answer
Cascadian Farm kids cereals are a textbook case of big food corrupting organic standards. While the boxes proudly display the USDA Organic seal, independent lab testing tells a completely different story.
Moms Across America recently found 22.05 ppb of glyphosate in Cascadian Farm Honey Nut O'sāone of the highest levels detected among organic brands. Combine that with up to 12g of added sugar per serving and positive tests for lead, and most of this product line is a hard pass.
Why This Matters
Parents buy Cascadian Farm because they are trying to avoid the toxins found in conventional grocery store brands. You pay a premium for that organic seal expecting a cleaner product. But when massive conglomerates take over small organic brands, contamination becomes almost inevitable. Is Kids Cereal Healthy
Cascadian Farm is owned by General Mills. This is the exact same company that manufactures conventional Cheerios. Because they often share massive processing facilities and supply chains, "organic" grains frequently cross-contaminate with conventionally sprayed crops. Is Cheerios Healthy For Kids
Glyphosate is an endocrine-disrupting weedkiller linked to cancer, and it has absolutely no place in a child's breakfast. Finding 22.05 ppb in an "organic" product proves that a seal isn't enough. We need brands that conduct rigorous third-party testing for agricultural chemicals and heavy metals. Safest Baby Cereal
What's Actually In Cascadian Farm Cereal
- Organic Whole Grains ā Oats, corn, and wheat that avoid direct pesticide spraying, but are highly susceptible to glyphosate cross-contamination. Healthiest Kids Cereal
- Organic Cane Sugar ā Up to 12g per serving in flavors like Cinnamon Crunch, which completely derails a child's blood sugar before school. Sugar In Kids Cereal
- Organic Sunflower Oil ā A highly processed seed oil used to coat the cereal, which can promote inflammation even when organically sourced.
- Natural Flavor ā A legally protected umbrella term that allows companies to hide dozens of proprietary chemical additives.
- Annatto ā A natural plant extract used instead of artificial dyes to give cereal a bright color. Cereal No Artificial Dyes
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Zero Artificial Dyes ā Cascadian Farm legitimately avoids Red 40 and Blue 1, opting for natural fruit juices instead. Artificial Dyes In Kids Cereal
- No Added Sugar Lines ā Their newer "Mixed Berry" varieties use date powder instead of refined cane sugar.
Red Flags:
- Glyphosate Contamination ā Lab tests repeatedly show this brand fails to keep the notorious weedkiller out of its organic boxes.
- Heavy Metal Presence ā Lead Safe Mama's 2024 independent testing found positive levels of lead in their Gluten Free Fruitful O's.
- General Mills Ownership ā Massive parent companies are notorious for cutting corners on soil health and supply chain purity.
The Best Options
If you want a truly clean cereal, you have to look beyond the basic organic label and demand transparent heavy metal testing.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lovebird | Grain-Free Cereal | ā | Zero sugar, no grains, tests for heavy metals |
| Cascadian Farm | No Added Sugar Mixed Berry | ā ļø | Zero cane sugar, but still carries contamination risks |
| Cascadian Farm | Honey Nut O's | š« | Tested positive for 22.05 ppb of glyphosate |
| General Mills | Cheerios | š« | Conventional oats with massive glyphosate exposure |
The Bottom Line
1. Ditch the organic halo. Just because a box says "USDA Organic" doesn't mean it is free from weedkillers or heavy metals.
2. Watch the sugar. If you must buy Cascadian Farm, only choose the boxes explicitly labeled "No Added Sugar" to avoid the 12g cane sugar trap. Kids Cereal Lowest Sugar
3. Pivot to transparent brands. Support independent companies that publicly publish their heavy metal and glyphosate testing results.
FAQ
Is Cascadian Farm cereal glyphosate-free?
No, independent testing proves otherwise. A recent Moms Across America investigation found 22.05 ppb of glyphosate in Cascadian Farm's Organic Honey Nut O's, showing severe cross-contamination.
Does General Mills own Cascadian Farm?
Yes, General Mills acquired the brand years ago. This means their organic cereals are processed by the same mega-corporation responsible for conventional, highly sprayed products like Cheerios. Is Cheerios Healthy For Kids
Are there heavy metals in Cascadian Farm cereal?
Yes, recent lab tests detected lead. In 2024, the independent testing collaborative Lead Safe Mama found positive levels of lead in Cascadian Farm's Gluten Free Fruitful O's.