Which oats don't have glyphosate? Finding clean, pesticide-free brands

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2018 report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a shocking 43 out of 45 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats contained detectable levels of glyphosate. Finding which oats don't have glyphosate has become a major concern for health-conscious consumers looking to reduce their exposure to this controversial herbicide.

Quick Summary

This guide explains why some oats contain glyphosate and offers solutions for finding clean, pesticide-free options. It covers the difference between conventional, organic, and certified residue-free oats, highlighting specific trustworthy brands and providing tips for safe shopping.

Key Points

Pre-Harvest Spraying: Glyphosate is often used on conventional oats as a desiccant right before harvest, causing high residue levels.
Organic isn't Perfect: While organic oats are safer, they can still have low levels of glyphosate due to cross-contamination from neighboring fields or shared equipment.
Seek Certification: The most reliable way to find oats without detectable glyphosate is to look for third-party certifications, such as the "Glyphosate Residue Free" seal from The Detox Project.
Consider Sourcing: Oats from regions with strict regulations, like Finland, where pre-harvest spraying is banned, are a good option for avoiding glyphosate.
Reputable Brands: Several brands, including Back Roads, Wildway, and ZEGO, are known for offering certified glyphosate-free oats and products.
Don't Trust 'Non-GMO' Alone: A non-GMO label does not guarantee the absence of glyphosate, as the herbicide is frequently used on non-GMO crops.

Understanding Glyphosate in Oats

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the widely used herbicide Roundup®, which farmers use for weed control. However, a major source of contamination in oats is its use as a pre-harvest desiccant. Farmers spray the chemical on crops shortly before harvest to dry them out, which facilitates easier and faster harvesting. This practice leads to higher glyphosate residues in the final oat product.

The Problem with Conventional and Organic Oats

While conventionally grown oats are most likely to contain high levels of glyphosate, even certified organic products are not entirely immune to contamination. Cross-contamination can occur due to agricultural drift from neighboring farms that use glyphosate, or from processing facilities that handle both conventional and organic crops. The key difference lies in the concentration: organic oats, which are grown without the intentional use of the herbicide, typically have much lower levels of any residual glyphosate. For consumers seeking true peace of mind, an extra level of assurance is needed.

The Gold Standard: Glyphosate Residue Free Certification

For shoppers who want to be absolutely certain their oats are free from glyphosate, seeking out products with a third-party certification is the most reliable strategy. The Detox Project offers the "Glyphosate Residue Free" certification, indicating that a product has been tested and verified to have no detectable levels of the herbicide. This standard is more stringent than just being organic, as it requires specific testing of the final product.

Brands with Glyphosate Residue Free Certification

Back Roads: This company was one of the first to be certified Glyphosate Residue Free by the Detox Project, in addition to being USDA Organic.
Wildway: Offers Regenerative Organic Certified oats, which are also certified glyphosate-free.
Healthy Traditions: Known for selling Italian oats and other products tested by third-party labs for glyphosate.
ZEGO: Provides raw, organic, and glyphosate-free oats under a Purity Protocol.
Almond Cow: A supplier of certified organic and glyphosate residue-free oat groats for making homemade milk.
Laird Superfood: Some of their oatmeal blends are certified glyphosate residue-free.
MUSH Foods: This brand uses Detox Project certified oats for its line of ready-to-eat overnight oats.

Oats from Finland

Another strategy is to look for oats sourced from countries with stricter regulations. In Finland, for example, the pre-harvest treatment of cereals with glyphosate for desiccation is prohibited. As a result, brands like Schullo Oats, which source from Finland, can offer oats that are organic and glyphosate-free.

Comparison: Conventional vs. Organic vs. Certified Free


Feature	Conventional Oats	Certified Organic Oats	Certified Glyphosate-Free Oats
Glyphosate Use	Often sprayed pre-harvest as a desiccant, leading to high residues.	Prohibited during growth, but low-level residue possible due to environmental cross-contamination.	Tested and verified to contain no detectable levels of glyphosate.
Cross-Contamination Risk	Not a primary concern, as intentional use is common.	Small risk due to wind drift or processing facility mixing.	Negligible risk, as finished products are tested for residues.
Cost	Typically the most affordable option.	Mid-range price point.	Often the most expensive due to additional testing and sourcing efforts.
Reliability	Unreliable for avoiding glyphosate; high risk of residues.	A good step, but not a guarantee of zero residues.	The highest level of assurance for avoiding glyphosate.

Making an Informed Choice

To find oats that don't have glyphosate, a shopper's best bet is to prioritize products with a third-party certification, such as the Glyphosate Residue Free seal from The Detox Project. While organic oats are a significant improvement over conventional oats and will contain much lower residue levels, they do not offer a complete guarantee against trace amounts due to environmental contamination. Supporting brands that go the extra mile for testing and certification sends a clear message to the industry about consumer demand for clean food. Ultimately, an informed choice involves weighing personal priorities regarding cost, peace of mind, and minimizing exposure to agricultural chemicals.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of oats and glyphosate can be confusing, but a clear path exists for those seeking to avoid this herbicide. Prioritizing third-party certified products, like those from Back Roads, Wildway, and others verified by The Detox Project, is the most direct route to finding oats with no detectable glyphosate. Choosing certified organic options is the next best step, as they minimize exposure, but for a true zero-tolerance approach, specific certifications are key. Consumers can make a tangible impact by supporting brands committed to cleaner, safer food practices.

For more information on certified brands, you can consult The Detox Project's official list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glyphosate is commonly sprayed on conventional oat crops as a desiccant, an agent used to dry the crop to make harvesting easier and to speed up maturation.

No, while organic standards prohibit the direct use of glyphosate, trace amounts can still be found in organic products due to environmental factors like wind drift from nearby farms or cross-contamination at processing facilities.

For the highest level of assurance, look for products that carry a third-party certification, such as the "Glyphosate Residue Free" seal from The Detox Project. This label signifies that the final product has been tested and verified to have no detectable levels.

No. The Non-GMO label only guarantees that the product is not genetically modified, but glyphosate is widely used on many non-GMO crops, especially as a pre-harvest desiccant.

Yes. Independent tests by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have identified specific organic products with no detectable glyphosate, including some from brands like Nature's Path, Simple Truth Organic, and 365 Organic.

Yes, they can be. In Finland, the pre-harvest spraying of glyphosate on grains intended for human consumption is banned, making Finnish-sourced oats a naturally safer choice.

Oats are particularly susceptible to higher residues because of the specific practice of spraying glyphosate as a desiccant right before harvest. This application timing allows the chemical to be more readily absorbed by the plant.