Weed Killer Chemical Found In Popular Bread Brands Tested By FL Health Officials

Elevated levels of glyphosate, a chemical used in many weed killers, was found in several popular bread brands, a recent report from the Healthy Florida First initiative shows, according to a Florida Department of Health news release.

First Lady Casey DeSantis leads the initiative, which earlier this year released infant formula testing results for heavy metals and pesticides and candy testing results for arsenic levels in popular brands.

Health officials tested eight bread products across five national brands commonly available in Florida grocery stores, the department said.

The testing found "troubling levels” of the chemical, DeSantis said. “Consumers deserve to know what chemical contaminants are in their food so that they can make informed decisions.”

Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide commonly used in agricultural production to control weeds and the main active ingredient in Roundup, was detected in six of the eight bread products tested:

• Sara Lee Honey Wheat - 191.04 parts per billion
• Nature’s Own Butter Bread - 190.23 ppb
• Wonder Bread Classic White - 173.19 ppb
• Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White - 132.34 ppb
• Dave’s Killed Bread White Done Right - 11.85 ppb
• Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grain - 10.38 ppb

The chemical wasn’t found in Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White bread, health officials said.

Find the full report here.

“Bread is a staple food for many Florida families, and they should be able to consume it without worrying about toxins,” the state’s Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo said. “Our testing found high levels of glyphosate in some popular bread brands. Chronic exposure to glyphosate is linked to harmful gut microbiome changes, liver inflammation, and adverse neurologic effects. Florida is taking action through transparency, continued testing, and a clear focus on reducing exposure to protect families.”

• Related: Arsenic Found In 28 Candy Products Tested By FL Health Officials

In a joint statement, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), North American Miller’s Association (NAMA) and American Bakers Association (ABA) said that Florida’s report “needlessly scares consumers about trace levels of glyphosate that don’t present genuine risks.”

The organizations said that “bread products remain safe” because of federal regulation of glyphosate and regular reviews by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “to ensure levels are safe for all consumers, from adults to children.”

The groups added, “Our nation’s farmers, millers and bakers proudly serve families and communities as they champion safe, consistent, accessible and affordable bread. Food safety is the top priority for the grain we grow, the flour we mill and the bread we bake for all Americans.”

The EPA set legal tolerances for glyphosate residues in food and feed crops — including corn, soybean, oil seeds, grains, and fruits and vegetables — ranging from .1 to 400 parts per million, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said.

About 30 countries, as well as parts of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have banned or restricted the use of glyphosate, according to the Council for State Governments Southern office.

Though not banned in the U.S., some states, cities and counties have placed restrictions on the chemical, including New York state, Connecticut, New Jersey, and California, the council said.

People could be exposed to glyphosate in the following ways, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:

• Glyphosate may get on unprotected skin and eyes when sprayed.
• You may breathe in glyphosate while you spray it on plants.
• You may be exposed to very small amounts of glyphosate from food.

If a large amount of glyphosate is swallowed, it can cause nausea and vomiting, the CDC said. It can also irritate the skin and eyes.

The chemical has been associated with respiratory effects (lung and nose), such as irritation in the nose or asthma, in people using glyphosate products, the agency said.

Studies in animals have shown that glyphosate can cause developmental effects, such as lower body weight and problems with bone and organ growth, when the pregnant animals were given very large amounts of glyphosate, according to the CDC.

The EPA said that glyphosate is “not likely” to be carcinogenic (causing cancer) to humans, based on evidence from animals and humans, the CDC said.

Meanwhile, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as “probably” carcinogenic to humans. This “means there was sufficient evidence of cancer in animals, but limited evidence of cancer in humans,” the CDC said.