Do Potatoes Have Glyphosate? A Look at Herbicide Residue

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), tests have detected pesticide residues on a significant portion of conventionally grown potatoes. This raises a critical question for many consumers: do potatoes have glyphosate, and what does this mean for food safety and dietary choices?

Quick Summary

Potatoes can contain trace amounts of glyphosate residue, primarily in non-organic products, from sources like spray drift or contaminated equipment. Regulatory agencies set maximum residue limits (MRLs) for food safety. Consumers can minimize exposure by opting for organic potatoes, which prohibit synthetic herbicides.

Key Points

Indirect Contamination: Potatoes are susceptible to glyphosate exposure from spray drift, not direct, intentional application.
Residue Translocation: If a potato plant is exposed, glyphosate can translocate from the leaves down to the developing tubers, causing damage and leaving residue.
Conventional vs. Organic: Conventional potatoes face a higher risk of glyphosate residue, while organic methods prohibit its use, though cross-contamination can occur.
Regulatory Limits: Agencies like the EPA set maximum residue limits (MRLs), and tests show that most detected levels are within legal tolerances.
Consumer Action: To reduce exposure, consumers can choose organic potatoes, wash conventional ones thoroughly, or peel the skin.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a widely used, non-selective herbicide designed to kill most weeds and grasses. It is the active ingredient in many commercial weed killers, including the well-known product Roundup. The chemical works by blocking an enzyme, EPSP synthase, that is essential for plant growth and protein synthesis. While the enzyme is not found in humans or animals, its widespread use in agriculture has led to concerns about human exposure and environmental impact.

How Potatoes Can Have Glyphosate Residue

Contrary to some crops that are genetically engineered to be glyphosate-resistant (like corn or soybeans), potato plants are sensitive to glyphosate and can be significantly damaged by exposure. The presence of glyphosate residue on potatoes is therefore not a result of direct, intentional application for weed control on the potato plant itself. Instead, contamination typically occurs through several indirect pathways:

Spray Drift: This is one of the most common sources of contamination. If glyphosate is being sprayed on a nearby field—for instance, on a cereal crop—wind can carry small droplets to a sensitive potato crop. This is a particular concern when potatoes are grown on rented land adjacent to other farmers' fields.
Tank Contamination: Farmers often use the same spraying equipment for multiple crops. If a sprayer tank is not thoroughly washed after applying a glyphosate-based herbicide, residue can contaminate the next batch of spray, which might then be applied to potatoes.
Uptake via Translocation: When a potato plant's foliage is exposed to glyphosate, the herbicide can enter the plant and be translocated to the developing tubers, which act as a sink for compounds produced by the leaves. This can cause malformed tubers and reduced yield even if the exposure is minimal.
Contaminated Water: While less common, using a contaminated water source for irrigation can also introduce glyphosate to potato fields.

The Difference Between Conventional and Organic Potatoes

Conventional Farming Methods

In conventional farming, growers use a variety of synthetic pesticides and herbicides to manage weeds, diseases, and pests. This reliance on chemical treatments increases the likelihood of unintended exposure to non-target crops like potatoes. While potato growers do not intentionally spray glyphosate directly on their crop, the possibility of drift or misapplication means that conventional potatoes have a higher chance of carrying detectable, albeit regulated, levels of glyphosate residue.

Organic Farming Methods

Organic agriculture operates under a strict set of regulations that prohibit the use of most synthetic pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate. Organic potato farmers must rely on natural methods for weed control, such as crop rotation and cover cropping. This process significantly reduces the risk of glyphosate exposure. However, studies have occasionally found minimal levels of glyphosate on organic produce, largely attributed to unavoidable cross-contamination during handling, transportation, or even from agricultural runoff.

Glyphosate Residue: What the Regulations Say

Regulatory bodies around the world, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides like glyphosate in or on food. These limits are designed to ensure food is safe for consumption when pesticides are used according to label instructions. Annual testing by agencies like the FDA confirms that most residues fall below these established tolerance levels. However, some groups raise concerns about the cumulative effects of long-term, low-level exposure to multiple pesticides, even when individual levels are considered safe.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Glyphosate in Potatoes

For concerned consumers, several strategies can help minimize potential exposure to pesticide residues:

Choose Organic: Opting for certified organic potatoes is the most effective way to avoid synthetic pesticides like glyphosate.
Wash and Scrub Thoroughly: For conventional potatoes, scrubbing the skin under running water can help remove surface-level pesticide residue.
Peel the Potatoes: Since some pesticides can accumulate in the skin, peeling potatoes is another effective method for reducing exposure, though it may also remove some nutrients.
Know Your Source: Purchasing from local farmers markets and speaking directly with the grower about their practices can provide additional peace of mind.

Conventional vs. Organic Potatoes: A Comparison


Feature	Conventional Potatoes	Organic Potatoes
Pesticide Use	Uses synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.	Prohibits the use of most synthetic pesticides and herbicides.
Glyphosate Exposure	Susceptible to contamination from spray drift, tank residue, and misapplication.	Avoids direct application. Minimal risk of cross-contamination from adjacent farms.
Residue Levels	Can contain detectable levels of multiple pesticides, though typically within legal limits.	Generally free from synthetic pesticide residues. Trace amounts may be present from cross-contamination.
Nutrient Management	Often uses high rates of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.	Relies on natural fertilizers like compost and manure.
Certification	No specific certification required for pesticide use.	Must meet stringent organic certification standards.

Conclusion

While the direct application of glyphosate to potato plants for food production is not standard practice, conventional potatoes can and do have glyphosate residue due to environmental factors such as spray drift and equipment cross-contamination. These levels are typically low and within legally established safety limits set by regulatory bodies. However, for consumers concerned about pesticide exposure, choosing certified organic potatoes offers a reliable way to minimize this risk. Thoroughly washing and peeling conventional potatoes also provides a practical method for reducing residue. Ultimately, understanding the farming practices behind your food empowers you to make informed decisions for your diet and health. For more information on pesticide regulations, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, potatoes are not directly sprayed with glyphosate as a part of their crop management because they are highly susceptible to the herbicide. Residue occurs from indirect exposure, such as spray drift from a nearby field or contaminated spraying equipment.

Washing and scrubbing conventional potatoes can help remove surface-level pesticide residues. However, because glyphosate can be absorbed and translocated into the tuber, washing cannot remove residues that have been internalized.

Organic potatoes are grown without synthetic pesticides like glyphosate. While they are essentially free from intentional application, traces of residue have sometimes been found due to cross-contamination during storage or from environmental factors.

Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are legal tolerance levels set by regulatory agencies like the EPA for the amount of pesticide residue that can remain on food crops. Most tests on food products find residues fall below these limits.

Glyphosate is absorbed through the plant's leaves and is then transported to the growing points, including the developing daughter tubers. This process is known as translocation and is how residue ends up inside the potato.

Peeling a potato can reduce pesticide residue, as some accumulates in the skin. However, peeling will not remove all traces, especially if the herbicide has been fully translocated into the inner tissues of the tuber.

The most reliable way to purchase potatoes with less or no glyphosate residue is to buy certified organic potatoes. You can also buy from local growers who can explain their farming and spraying practices.