A brand new investigation by Mothers Throughout America has revealed that many widespread breakfast cereals comprise chlormequat, a pesticide banned to be used on meals crops within the U.S1. The investigation discovered traces of chlormequat in 11 of 14 cereal samples examined, together with Quaker Immediate Oatmeal Cinnamon & Spice, Fruit Loops, Rice Krispies, and Cocoa Krispies. Even natural choices like Cascadian Farm Honey Nut Cereal and Kashi Cocoa Clusters have been contaminated. The very best ranges of the pesticide have been present in Normal Mills’ Honey Nut Cheerios, with 134.16 ppb.
Sadly, that is removed from the primary time we’ve handled pesticides in locations they shouldn’t be. These findings verify earlier analysis funded by EWG that was revealed in 2024 within the Journal of Publicity Science & Environmental Epidemiology. The analysis discovered traces of the chemical in each standard and natural oat- and wheat-based meals together with Cheerios, Quakers Meals oatmeal and granola bars, and Walmart and Goal store-brand granola and cereals, amongst others2.
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What Is Chlormequat Used For?
Chlormequat is usually used to stunt the expansion of decorative vegetation and grains like wheat, oats, and barley, making them simpler to reap. But it surely’s not with out its unintended effects.Â
Within the early ‘80s, Danish pig farmers started observing a decline within the reproductive skill of pigs raised on grains handled with chlormequat. The remark led to additional analysis on pigs and mice, which confirmed this regarding hyperlink3. Lab experiments on mice and rats have since confirmed that the pesticide decreases male fertility, delays onset of puberty, and reduces testosterone ranges, particularly when publicity occurs throughout gestation and early growth4.
Chlormequat was first registered within the U.S. as a plant development regulator in 1962, and it was initially solely allowed to be used on decorative vegetation. However in 2018, the EPA started to allow the import of meals, primarily grains, handled with the chemical from the EU, UK, and Canada. In these areas, chlormequat is authorized to make use of on meals crops destined for human consumption. In reality, within the UK and EU particularly, chlormequat is commonly essentially the most detected pesticide residue in grains and cereals2. In 2020, the EPA elevated the permissible stage of chlormequat residues on imported oats.
We’re About to See Extra Chlormequat, Not Much less
The repercussions of those coverage modifications are already detectable: In line with the 2024 examine, which examined urine samples from 96 People throughout the nation from 2017 to 2023, 80 % of People have detectable ranges of chlormequat of their methods — and ranges have considerably elevated over time2.
This downside of chlormequat in meals is more likely to worsen in coming years. Following a 2019 software submitted by chlormequat producer Taminco, the EPA below the Biden administration proposed permitting the first-ever use on meals crops grown within the U.S. In 2023, the EPA launched a proposed resolution for public remark. If finalized, the rule would enable the appliance of chlormequat on barley, oat, triticale and wheat grown within the U.S. If there was ever a greater time to hunt alternate options to Cheerios and different breakfast cereals with pesticides, it’s now.
Different Pesticides in Our Breakfast
Along with chlormequat, Mothers Throughout America’s new assessments discovered that two widespread cereals — Quaker Immediate Oatmeal and Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies — additionally contained diquat and paraquat residues. Diquat is banned within the UK, EU, and China, however is broadly utilized in vineyards and orchards within the U.S. Paraquat has been banned in 70 international locations together with the UK, EU, Morocco, Cambodia, Chile, and China, however stays authorized within the U.S.
2025 analysis confirmed that diquat can disrupt the steadiness of intestine microbiota, resulting in irritation, metabolic points, and different well being issues5. Paraquat, one of many oldest pesticides in use, has been linked in a number of research to an elevated danger of creating Parkinson’s Illness6. For sure, these banned pesticides don’t have any place in our breakfast.
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Sources:
- https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/banned_pesticide_replacing_glyphosate
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-024-00643-4#Sec8
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16466532/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32622971/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1562182/full
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38309714/Â
