Oatmeal is one of the most popular breakfast options people go to when deciding what to eat in the morning. Some might even have it for lunch or dinner just because it’s relatively healthy and can taste good with the right toppings. But this breakfast staple might not be safe to eat at the moment.
According to Health, a recent report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) revealed that oat products contain trace amounts of glyphosate, a crucial ingredient in popular weed killer Roundup. This means that oatmeal is not alone in being contaminated — dry cereal, granola, and snack bars have also been affected as a result. The revelation has many consumers understandably concerned, as well as considering whether to ditch oatmeal and other oat-related foods for the time being.
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Glyphosate is a popular herbicide that is used in many more weed-killing products outside of Roundup. In 2015, it was labeled as a “probable human carcinogen” after its link to possibly causing cancer was revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The following year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that traces of glyphosate was found in several oatmeal products between 0.3 and 1.67 parts per million.
As alarming as this sounds, experts stress that the worry shouldn’t be too big. Humans cannot absorb glyphosate in the same way as other harmful chemicals such as DDT. Therefore, it’s safe to ingest this chemical in low levels. The amount of glyphosate found in oat products is a lower-than-tolerable limit for glyphosate residue, which is 30 ppm.
With no official solid proof found that any damage can or will be done due to this recent report, you might feel fine continuing to eat your normal oat products as usual. For those that feel otherwise but can’t bring themselves to completely give them up, experts have suggested purchasing organic oat products instead. While some may have trace amounts of glyphosate, their levels are significantly lower than their non-organic counterparts. It may cost a little extra to buy organic, but it will surely product you from consuming too much glyphosate in the long run.
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