Understanding the Glyphosate Concern in Oat Products
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup and is widely used on conventional crops. While oats are not a genetically engineered crop, glyphosate is often used as a pre-harvest desiccant. This practice, common in conventional agriculture, helps dry out crops to speed up harvesting. This widespread use means glyphosate can turn up in food products, raising health concerns among some consumers, though federal agencies like the EPA have established tolerance limits.
For conscientious consumers, the presence of any amount of glyphosate is a concern, and this has led many to seek out brands that prioritize purity. Bob's Red Mill, a brand often associated with natural and wholesome products, has faced scrutiny following reports that its oats contained trace amounts of the herbicide.
Bob's Red Mill's Official Stance and Sourcing Practices
Bob's Red Mill addresses the issue of glyphosate directly on its website, providing transparency into its sourcing practices. The company states that it has agreements in place with its oat suppliers, covering both its organic and conventional products, specifying that oats should not be treated with glyphosate.
- Organic Oats: For products bearing the USDA Organic seal, the National Organic Program (NOP) prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides like glyphosate at any point during cultivation. The company sources from farmers committed to these standards. However, Bob's Red Mill acknowledges that trace amounts can be present in organic crops due to environmental factors, such as wind drift from nearby conventional fields.
- Conventional Oats: The company has historically stated that most of its conventional oats come from regions with longer growing seasons where desiccation is less common. While it requires suppliers to avoid glyphosate, the larger, multi-source nature of the conventional supply chain makes it difficult for them to guarantee no use by all farmers.
Bob's Red Mill's Testing Protocols
It is important to note that Bob's Red Mill relies on its suppliers to perform chemical testing and does not conduct random sampling itself, though its products must meet all USDA and FDA maximum tolerance levels. The company's in-house testing protocols, particularly its strict "Purity Protocol" for gluten-free products, focus primarily on preventing cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains, not on testing for pesticides like glyphosate.
Evidence from Independent Testing
Despite Bob's Red Mill's stated policies, independent tests have revealed inconsistencies. The 2018 EWG report, which tested various oat-based foods, found that samples of Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats contained 300 ppb (parts per billion) of glyphosate, while Bob's Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats showed lower levels, with some organic samples having non-detectable levels and others at 10 or 20 ppb.
The lawsuits that followed the EWG report, though not based on a violation of federal safety limits, argued that marketing products as natural was misleading when they contained any level of a synthetic chemical. This highlights a key divide between what is legally permissible and what consumers perceive as pure and natural.
The Difference Between Organic and Conventional Oats
For consumers concerned about glyphosate, the choice between organic and conventional is critical. The following table summarizes the key differences in how Bob's Red Mill's organic and conventional oat products are affected by glyphosate.
| Feature | Bob's Red Mill Organic Oats | Bob's Red Mill Conventional Oats |
|---|---|---|
| Glyphosate Use Policy | Prohibited from intentional use during growing and processing, per USDA Organic standards. | Suppliers agree not to use glyphosate as a desiccant, but large supply chains make a full guarantee difficult. |
| Risk of Contamination | Low, but possible for trace amounts due to environmental drift from nearby conventional fields. | Higher risk of contamination due to conventional farming practices within the broader supply chain. |
| Independent Test Results (EWG 2018) | Found lower, trace amounts (0–20 ppb) in some samples. | Found higher levels (300 ppb) in some samples. |
| Testing Practice | Relies on supplier testing to meet federal limits; not randomly sampled for glyphosate by BRM. | Relies on supplier testing to meet federal limits; not randomly sampled for glyphosate by BRM. |
How to Minimize Your Exposure to Glyphosate
For those wanting to reduce or eliminate glyphosate exposure, several steps can be taken when choosing and preparing your oats:
- Prioritize Certified Organic: As organic farming prohibits the use of glyphosate, certified organic oats are the most reliable option for reducing exposure. While drift contamination is a slight possibility, organic products consistently show significantly lower levels compared to conventional alternatives.
- Look for 'Glyphosate Residue Free' Certification: For the highest assurance, seek products that carry a third-party certification specifically for glyphosate residue. Brands with this certification, such as Back Roads or Almond Cow, test their finished products to ensure residues are below a strict threshold.
- Choose Carefully at the Store: While Bob's Red Mill organic oats are a good option, if you have concerns about residual levels, researching brands with more stringent testing or sourcing protocols is recommended. Consider brands that explicitly state they are certified glyphosate residue free.
- Wash Grains (with caution): According to some sources, rinsing grains with a baking soda solution may help remove some surface pesticide residue, but this will not remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the plant.
Conclusion
In summary, while Bob's Red Mill prohibits the intentional use of glyphosate on its oats, the answer to whether their products are completely free of the chemical is not a simple yes or no. The presence of trace amounts has been independently verified in past tests, even in organic versions, due to cross-contamination from the environment. Conventional oats from broader supply chains face a higher risk. For consumers, choosing certified organic oats is the most effective way to minimize potential exposure. However, for those seeking the highest assurance of purity, opting for brands with an independent 'Glyphosate Residue Free' certification is the recommended approach. For more information, see Bob's Red Mill's article on glyphosate. Ultimately, consumer preference for purity beyond legal tolerance levels drives the demand for greater transparency from all food manufacturers.
Organic vs. Conventional Bob's Red Mill Oats: A Comparison
| Feature | Bob's Red Mill Organic Oats | Bob's Red Mill Conventional Oats |
|---|---|---|
| Glyphosate Use Policy | Prohibited from intentional use during growing and processing, per USDA Organic standards. | Suppliers agree not to use glyphosate as a desiccant, but large supply chains make a full guarantee difficult. |
| Risk of Contamination | Low, but possible for trace amounts due to environmental drift from nearby conventional fields. | Higher risk of contamination due to conventional farming practices within the broader supply chain. |
| Independent Test Results (EWG 2018) | Found lower, trace amounts (0–20 ppb) in some samples. | Found higher levels (300 ppb) in some samples. |
| Testing Practice | Relies on supplier testing to meet federal limits; not randomly sampled for glyphosate by BRM. | Relies on supplier testing to meet federal limits; not randomly sampled for glyphosate by BRM. |
Conclusion
In summary, while Bob's Red Mill prohibits the intentional use of glyphosate on its oats, the answer to whether their products are completely free of the chemical is not a simple yes or no. The presence of trace amounts has been independently verified in past tests, even in organic versions, due to cross-contamination from the environment. Conventional oats from broader supply chains face a higher risk. For consumers, choosing certified organic oats is the most effective way to minimize potential exposure. However, for those seeking the highest assurance of purity, opting for brands with an independent 'Glyphosate Residue Free' certification is the recommended approach. Ultimately, consumer preference for purity beyond legal tolerance levels drives the demand for greater transparency from all food manufacturers. For more information, you can read Bob's Red Mill's official blog post on the topic.
