Is Organic Soy Glyphosate Free? The Complex Truth About Contamination

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Over 90% of the soy crops grown in the United States are genetically modified to withstand potent herbicides like glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. This widespread use raises concerns for consumers about how organic soy, which is not intentionally sprayed with such chemicals, can be affected.

Quick Summary

Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides like glyphosate on soy crops. However, cross-contamination from conventional farms or environmental drift means trace amounts can sometimes be detected, though at significantly lower levels. Independent third-party testing offers additional assurance.

Key Points

Organic Certification Bans Glyphosate: Certified organic soy is grown without the intentional application of synthetic herbicides, including glyphosate.
Cross-Contamination is a Risk: Due to environmental drift from neighboring farms and shared equipment, certified organic soy can sometimes contain trace amounts of glyphosate.
Residue Levels are Much Lower: Scientific studies show that glyphosate residue levels in organic soy are significantly lower, or undetectable, compared to conventionally grown soy.
"Glyphosate Residue Free" Offers Highest Assurance: For consumers wanting zero detectable residue, labels from third-party testing programs like The Detox Project provide the highest level of assurance.
An Organic Diet Reduces Body Burden: Eating organic foods has been shown to significantly reduce the level of glyphosate in the human body.
Choose Carefully for Peace of Mind: To minimize glyphosate exposure from soy products, look for organic certification and, if available, additional third-party residue-free testing.

Organic vs. Conventional Soy: Understanding the Differences

To determine if organic soy is glyphosate-free, it's essential to understand the distinct farming practices of conventional and organic methods, particularly regarding pesticide use.

Conventional Soy and Glyphosate

Conventional soy production frequently involves glyphosate. This is largely due to the prevalence of genetically engineered (GE) soybeans designed to be resistant to the herbicide, allowing farmers to control weeds effectively. Glyphosate is also sometimes used on conventional crops as a drying agent before harvest, which can increase residue levels. The widespread use of glyphosate contributes to its presence in the agricultural environment.

Organic Farming Practices

Organic soy production adheres to strict standards, such as those from the USDA National Organic Program, which prohibit synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. Organic farmers utilize alternative weed management strategies including crop rotation, cover cropping, mechanical cultivation, and mulching.

Glyphosate Residue in Organic Soy: A Closer Look

While organic farming bans the intentional application of glyphosate, the presence of trace amounts in certified organic products is possible due to environmental factors. This risk of cross-contamination is a concern for consumers.

Sources of Cross-Contamination

Glyphosate can contaminate organic fields through several routes:

Pesticide Drift: Airborne glyphosate from nearby conventional farms can drift onto organic crops.
Shared Equipment: Using the same processing equipment for both conventional and organic crops, even with cleaning, can lead to residue transfer.
Environmental Persistence: Glyphosate can remain in soil and water, potentially transferring to organic fields.

Research Findings

Studies indicate that organic products generally have significantly lower levels of glyphosate compared to conventional ones. For example, one study detected glyphosate in GMO soy but not in organic soy. Organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have also found lower concentrations of residues in some organic products than in conventional alternatives. While complete absence isn't always guaranteed by organic certification alone, it significantly reduces exposure risk.

How to Find Glyphosate-Free Soy

For the highest assurance of glyphosate-free soy, consumers can look beyond standard organic certification to third-party verification programs.

Third-Party Certifications for Added Assurance

Programs like The Detox Project's "Glyphosate Residue Free" certification offer an additional layer of confidence. This certification means a product has been tested by an accredited lab and found to have no detectable levels of glyphosate. The EWG also offers resources to help consumers identify products with minimal pesticide residues.

Comparison: Soy Types and Glyphosate Risk


Feature	Conventional Soy	Organic Certified Soy	Glyphosate Residue Free Certified Soy
Glyphosate Use	Widespread	Prohibited	Prohibited and tested
Contamination Risk	High	Low, potential drift	Lowest, tested for absence
Weed Control	Synthetic methods	Ecological methods	Organic methods + testing
Cost	Lower	Higher	Potentially highest
Assurance	No	No intentional use	No detectable glyphosate

Health Considerations of Glyphosate

Concerns about the health effects of glyphosate motivate many consumers to choose organic options.

Potential Health Risks

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen". Research also explores its potential to disrupt the gut microbiome and act as an endocrine disruptor. Notably, studies show that switching to an organic diet can significantly reduce glyphosate levels in the body. More information on health concerns can be found on the U.S. Right to Know website.

Conclusion: Informed Choices for Your Soy

While standard organic certification prohibits the intentional use of glyphosate, making organic soy a much lower-risk option, trace contamination is possible due to environmental factors. For the greatest certainty of avoiding glyphosate in soy products, look for organic certification combined with third-party testing and certification that verifies the absence of detectable glyphosate residue. Understanding these distinctions allows consumers to make choices that align with their preferences for minimizing chemical exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, organic farming does permit the use of certain natural pesticides, which are derived from natural sources and approved under organic standards. These differ significantly from the synthetic pesticides, like glyphosate, that are banned.

Conventional soy is often genetically engineered to resist glyphosate, allowing farmers to spray the herbicide extensively to control weeds. It is also used as a pre-harvest desiccant, which increases the likelihood of residue.

This is a third-party certification label, like one from The Detox Project, that confirms a product has been tested and verified to have no detectable glyphosate residues, offering higher assurance than standard organic certification.

Glyphosate can enter organic products through environmental factors like pesticide drift from neighboring conventional farms, contaminated water, or using shared processing equipment.

While cooking may affect some compounds, glyphosate is systemic and can be incorporated into the plant itself. There is no evidence to suggest that standard cooking methods effectively remove all glyphosate residues from contaminated food.

Yes, while many countries have similar core principles, organic standards can vary globally. For example, some may allow a higher limit of accidental cross-contamination. Check for international or national organic standards for details.

No. While GMO soy is engineered to be sprayed with glyphosate, non-GMO soy is also at risk. Conventional non-GMO soy can still be sprayed with glyphosate as a desiccant before harvest, leading to residue.