Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide designed to kill weeds and unwanted vegetation. First commercialized in the 1970s, glyphosate has since become the most widely used herbicidal ingredient on the planet, appearing in numerous formulations for home or agricultural use.
In 1974, the agrochemical company Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) patented glyphosate. The herbicide shared the same phosphorus-oxygen (P=O) molecular architecture as synthetic organophosphates like Tabun, Sarin and VX. However, glyphosate’s target is different from the others: The chemical blocks EPSP synthase, an enzyme essential for plant growth. [1]
Despite its structural similarities to toxic organophosphates known to disrupt the nervous system, glyphosate, under the brand name Roundup, was still promoted as a safe and effective herbicide by Monsanto. By the 1980s and 1990s, farmers discovered a new use for glyphosate: pre-harvest desiccation.
Just days before harvesting, farmers began to spray Roundup onto wheat, oats, barley, lentils and other crops to hasten their drying. Because the chemical was absorbed by plants, glyphosate easily found its way into baked bread, beer, cereals and other related products, becoming integrated into the food supply at every level without consumer knowledge.
The introduction of genetically modified "Roundup Ready" crops in 1996 transformed agriculture. Corn, soybeans, cotton and canola were engineered to survive direct application of glyphosate, allowing farmers to spray the herbicide without killing their crops. This created a closed commercial loop: Farmers bought GMO seeds from Monsanto, then bought more Roundup to spray on them. Global glyphosate use rose exponentially, with billions of pounds applied to fields worldwide. Glyphosate thus became ubiquitous in the environment, detected in soil, water, air and human urine samples. [2]
Health risks linked to glyphosate exposure
In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as Group 2A, which meant "probably carcinogenic to humans." [3] The classification was based on limited evidence of cancer in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals, specifically linking glyphosate exposure to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The IARC's findings sent shockwaves through the agricultural industry and sparked a wave of litigation.
Research on glyphosate has since uncovered links to several other health issues:
· Brain and nervous system – Studies suggest glyphosate can cause neuroinflammation and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. [4] The chemical's ability to cross biological barriers and accumulate in neural tissue has raised alarm among neurologists.
· Hormone disruption - Glyphosate has been shown to interfere with reproductive hormones and endocrine function. Studies in animal models have shown disruption of estrogen and androgen pathways, raising concerns about fertility, reproductive development and hormonal cancers. [5]
· Gut microbiome – Glyphosate has been found to disrupt beneficial gut bacteria essential for digestion and immunity. The shikimate pathway that glyphosate targets in plants is also present in many beneficial bacteria in the human microbiome, leading to concerns about long-term effects on digestive health and immune function. [6]
· Liver and kidneys - Glyphosate and its metabolites have been linked to chronic liver disease and liver cancer. [7] Meanwhile, epidemiological studies in agricultural communities have found elevated rates of chronic kidney disease, particularly among workers who handle glyphosate-based herbicides. [8]
· Developmental risks - Prenatal exposure to glyphosate has been linked to birth defects, developmental delays and an increased risk of childhood cancers (leukemia). [9][10] Because glyphosate can cross the placental barrier, residues in the mother’s diet could directly affect fetal development.
7 Foods that may be poisoning you with glyphosate
Glyphosate use in agriculture is widespread because it simplifies weed management while improving crop yields. [11] But these benefits come at the cost of human health. Unfortunately, many crops that feature heavily in the modern diet – whether in heavily processed or healthier forms – are treated with glyphosate, endangering the health of consumers without their knowledge.
To help you avoid the consequences of this dangerous agricultural practice, here are 7 foods commonly found with glyphosate residues that you should watch out for:
Wheat, oat and barley products
Cereal grains (e.g., rice, barley, oats, wheat, etc.) and related products are notorious for containing glyphosate residues, thanks to the rampant spraying of herbicides (desiccation) done by farmers to rapidly dry down these crops just before harvesting. While herbicide degradation has been reported during post-harvest grain processing, a study published in the journal Food Control reveals there is a lack of evidence supporting glyphosate degradation in cereal grains. [12] This is why glyphosate contamination has been detected in many commercial food products containing wheat, barley, oats and other grains.
For instance, a 2019 analysis conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found varying amounts of glyphosate in all 12 samples of wheat-based products it tested, which included five samples of dried pasta and seven samples of cereal. [13] The previous year, EWG also commissioned a round of tests involving popular oat-based food products manufactured by food giants like Quaker and General Mills. All 28 samples made with conventionally grown oats tested positive for glyphosate, with EWG reporting that all but two had glyphosate levels “higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health with an adequate margin of safety.” [14] Earlier analyses by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency also found glyphosate in buckwheat and barley products.
Findings like these are why calls for stricter regulations and consumer caution when buying cereal-based products have been mounting in recent years, especially as studies continue to reveal serious health risks associated with glyphosate exposure and contamination in food.
Commercial products with residues: Whole-wheat flour, bran, bread, pasta, couscous, crackers and biscuits; oatmeal, rolled oats, oat flour, granola and oat-based cereals; pearl barley, barley flour, malt and malt-based cereals
Because the Health Ranger Store cares for your health and safety, we offer a wide range of glyphosate-tested products that deliver a wealth of nutrition without pesticide risks. Health Ranger Select Organic Tigernut Flour 10oz is a cleaner and more nutrient-dense alternative to commercial wheat flour and all-purpose flours. Derived from the small chickpea-sized tubers of the Cyperus esculentus plant, this premium flour is a rich source of antioxidants and other beneficial phytonutrients that support optimal health and well-being.
Health Ranger Select Organic Tigernut Flour 10oz is vegan, non-GMO and naturally gluten-free; it contains absolutely no nuts or grains and is meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. For preppers looking to add this nutritious flour to their stockpile, our organic tigernut flour is also available in long-term storable #10 cans.
Individuals who prefer non-dairy milk alternatives like oat milk can also avoid adding glyphosate to their favorite beverages and recipes with Health Ranger Select Organic Oat Milk Powder 12 oz. A good source of plant protein, potassium, calcium and iron, organic oat milk in powder form also offers versatility and a long shelf life, making it a staple not just in the kitchen but also in many survival pantries. Our non-GMO, gluten-free and glyphosate-tested organic oat milk powder is also available in long-term storable #10 cans.
Another nutritious and reliable emergency food beloved by preppers, barley is high in fiber, magnesium, selenium and B vitamins that support your body’s conversion of food into energy. When organically sourced, this healthy grain offers more benefits, especially when you choose barley products that are thoroughly lab tested for heavy metals, microbiology and, of course, glyphosate.
Enjoy clean nutrition with Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Pearled Barley (10LB, 4535g). One of the world's healthiest grains, organic pearled barley is a smart, wholesome and highly shelf-stable addition to any kitchen or emergency food pantry. Designed to last for years, our nutritious organic pearled barley comes in sturdy mega buckets for easy storage and a longer shelf life.
Chickpeas, dry peas and dry beans
Cereal crops aren’t the only victims of glyphosate usage prior to harvest. Some farmers also spray chickpeas and other beans with this harmful chemical to hasten the drying process as well as control weeds that can clog up harvesting equipment. But according to pesticide specialist Andrew Thostenson, the use of glyphosate on wet crops can cause them to soak up too much of it, which is why high levels are often detected in chickpeas and dry beans. [15]
In 2020, EWG commissioned independent tests on chickpeas and related products (e.g., hummus) – some even labeled organic – and found that almost 90% of all non-organic samples tested had detectable levels of glyphosate, while one-third of non-organic hummus samples exceeded their health benchmark for daily consumption (based on a 60-gram serving), which is 160 parts per billion (ppb). [16][17]
The danger of glyphosate exposure via these foods warrants the same amount of caution consumers are urged to practice when purchasing cereal grain products.
Commercial products with residues: Dried or canned chickpeas, hummus and chickpea flour; kidney, black, navy and pinto beans; split peas, pea flour and pea-protein products
For consumers tired of deceptive labels and looking for clean alternatives they can trust, the Health Ranger Store offers the following lab-verified organic chickpeas, dry peas and dry beans:
· Health Ranger Select Organic Black-Eyed Peas 12 oz (also available in long-term storable mega buckets)
· Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Black Beans (10LB, 4535g)
· Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Pinto Beans (10LB, 4535g)
· Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Adzuki Beans 10LB (4535g)
· Health Ranger Select Organic Pea Protein Powder 24 oz
· Health Ranger Select Freeze Dried Organic Peas (16oz, #10 can) 454g
A popular choice for long-term food storage, organic legumes are versatile, flavorful and packed with essential vitamins and minerals – the perfect additions to soups, stews, salads and even curries. These superfoods are also a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, which support overall health and wellness.
The Health Ranger Store’s clean, organic peas and beans are all Kosher-certified, vegan, non-GMO and China-free and are meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology, so you can enjoy them without worrying about your safety.
Lentils
Lentils, like their cousins in the legume family, also often contain dangerous levels of glyphosate. A 2012 report from the European Union’s Laboratories for Residues of Pesticides found glyphosate residues above minimal risk levels (MRLs) in 9 out of 25 conventionally grown lentil samples sold in Germany and 3 out of 8 samples of organic lentils. [18] In addition, lentil samples originating from Turkey were also found to contain above-MRL residues for other harmful pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos, diquat and malathion. [19]
These findings underscore the importance of independent laboratory testing to ensure the quality and safety of food products being sold in grocery stores.
Commercial products with residues: Dried lentils, lentil flour, soups and lentil-based snacks
For lentil lovers concerned about the presence of glyphosate in their favorite food, the Health Ranger Store proudly offers Health Ranger Select Organic Red Lentils 12 oz. These small, round lentils are loaded with fiber, protein, folate and magnesium, making them an excellent low-cost, high-nutrition solution for healthy living and food preparedness.
Unlike other legumes, there's no need to pre-soak our premium organic red lentils, so you can prepare them quickly. Even better, two servings of our red lentils will leave you feeling incredibly full and satisfied at only 326 calories. Our air-drying process ensures these lentils retain their nutritional value and can stay on your shelf longer without the need for refrigeration or preservatives. Like all Health Ranger Store products, Health Ranger Select Organic Red Lentils 12 oz are extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Visit the Health Ranger Store by clicking on this link for more Glyphosate-Tested Products for your health and food supply needs.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[2] https://discover.healthrangerstore.com
[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[6] https://beyondpesticides.org
[7] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[9] https://beyondpesticides.org
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[12] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[13] https://www.ewg.org
[14] https://www.ewg.org
[16] https://www.ewg.org
[17] https://www.ewg.org
