Glyphosate in Food: IARC Carcinogen, EPA Safe, Where It Hides

What is glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a synthetic herbicide, not a food additive. It is the active ingredient in Roundup, the weed killer Monsanto brought to market in 1974. It works by blocking the EPSPS enzyme, part of the shikimate pathway that plants use to synthesize aromatic amino acids. Humans and animals lack this pathway, which is part of why regulators have historically viewed glyphosate as relatively low in acute toxicity.

For decades it was used primarily to kill weeds between crop rows. The consumer exposure problem mostly comes from a different use: pre-harvest desiccation. Farmers spray glyphosate on oats, wheat, lentils, and chickpeas a week or two before harvest to kill the crop uniformly, allowing it to dry down faster and more evenly. This reduces moisture content and speeds up harvesting. Because the application happens directly on the food grain close to harvest, residues end up in finished products, not from drift or runoff, but from intentional application.

The IARC vs. EPA disagreement

Few regulatory disputes in food science are as sharp as this one.

In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization, published Monograph 112 classifying glyphosate as Group 2A, meaning "probably carcinogenic to humans." IARC reviewed epidemiological studies, animal data, and mechanistic evidence, concluding there was limited evidence of cancer in humans (primarily non-Hodgkin lymphoma in agricultural workers) and sufficient evidence in experimental animals. The classification triggered global headlines and became the basis for thousands of lawsuits.

The US EPA reached the opposite conclusion. In its 2020 interim registration review decision, the EPA stated that glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" based on its review of the full body of available evidence. The EPA criticized IARC's methodology, arguing that IARC considered only published studies while excluding unpublished regulatory studies, and that its evaluation weighted certain animal findings more heavily than the weight of epidemiological evidence justified.

Why did two major scientific bodies look at the same chemical and land in opposite places? Methodology.

IARC evaluates whether a substance is capable of causing cancer under any conditions of exposure. A Group 2A designation does not mean ordinary dietary exposure is dangerous: it means evidence suggests the substance could cause cancer in some scenario. IARC's Group 2A list includes alcohol, red meat, and acrylamide. The EPA and national pesticide agencies focus specifically on cancer risk at actual exposure levels through food and approved use.

The WHO's own Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR), separate from IARC, reviewed glyphosate in 2016 and concluded it is "unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet." The WHO thus contains two bodies that reached different conclusions, which reflects genuine scientific tension rather than a single authoritative answer.

Regulatory status: country by country

IARC

Group 2A "probably carcinogenic to humans," classified March 2015 in Monograph 112. This is a hazard classification, not a risk assessment for dietary exposure.

United States (EPA)

The EPA's 2020 interim registration review decision reaffirmed that glyphosate "is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" and found "no risks of concern to human health from current uses." A portion of the 2020 decision was vacated by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2022 on procedural grounds, though the EPA's underlying scientific conclusions remained in force pending further review.

US maximum residue tolerances for glyphosate are among the highest in the world. Under 40 CFR Section 180.364, tolerances include 30 parts per million (ppm) for wheat grain and 30 ppm for oats. These figures represent the legal maximum, not a safety target.

European Union (EFSA)

The European Food Safety Authority concluded in 2015 that glyphosate was "unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans." EFSA completed a peer review in 2023, finding no critical areas of concern that would prevent renewal of glyphosate's EU authorization. The European Commission renewed the authorization in late 2023 for ten years, a decision that passed over significant political opposition from member states including Germany and France. The EU maintains considerably lower MRLs than the US: 10 ppm for wheat, and 20 ppm for oats in the EU framework.

Health Canada (PMRA)

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency completed a re-evaluation of glyphosate in 2017 and again in 2022, upholding its registration in Canada both times. Health Canada concluded that glyphosate, when used according to label directions, does not pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. The PMRA's 2022 re-evaluation reviewed over 1,300 studies.

The WHO's position

The WHO sits in an uncomfortable middle. IARC, which is a WHO agency, says probably carcinogenic. JMPR, which is a separate WHO/FAO body, says unlikely to cause cancer through diet. Both statements are technically WHO-affiliated. The agency has not issued a unified position reconciling the two, which has contributed to public confusion.

The Bayer-Monsanto lawsuits

Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018 for $63 billion, inheriting a growing wave of litigation from people who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma and attributed it to Roundup exposure.

The first major jury verdict came in August 2018. Dewayne Johnson, a school groundskeeper who had used Roundup extensively, was awarded $289 million by a San Francisco jury. The verdict was later reduced on appeal to $21.5 million, but the finding that Roundup was a substantial contributing factor in his non-Hodgkin lymphoma stood.

In March 2019, a federal jury in the Hardeman v. Monsanto case found that glyphosate exposure was a substantial factor in plaintiff Edwin Hardeman's non-Hodgkin lymphoma. That same year, a jury in the Pilliod v. Monsanto case awarded $2 billion to Alberta and Alva Pilliod, a couple who both developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma; the award was later reduced to approximately $87 million on appeal.

In June 2020, Bayer announced a settlement of approximately $9.6 billion to resolve more than 100,000 pending claims, without admitting liability or wrongdoing. An additional $1.25 billion was reserved for future claims. Bayer also committed to studying whether to add a cancer warning to US Roundup labels, though it subsequently pursued legal strategies to avoid doing so. As of 2023, approximately 165,000 total claims had been filed.

These verdicts are not scientific consensus. Juries weigh evidence under legal standards that differ from peer-reviewed science and regulatory review. US courts found sufficient evidence to hold Bayer liable for specific plaintiffs' cancers, a different question than whether glyphosate causes cancer at typical dietary exposure levels.

Where you'll find glyphosate residues

The foods most commonly found to contain glyphosate residues are those where pre-harvest desiccation is practiced, or where glyphosate is used to clear fields before planting:

Oats - Among the highest residue crops in available monitoring data. Pre-harvest desiccation with glyphosate is standard practice in Canadian and US oat farming. The herbicide is applied directly to the grain shortly before harvest, which is why oat-based products consistently appear in residue testing.

Wheat - The same desiccation practice applies in many regions. Conventional wheat bread, pasta, and flour products can carry residues, though typically at lower levels than oats.

Soybeans and legumes - Roundup Ready soybeans account for more than 90% of US soy production. Glyphosate applications during the growing season leave residues at harvest. Lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas are also commonly desiccated pre-harvest.

Canola and corn - Both are grown as Roundup Ready varieties at large scale. Residues pass through to oil and grain products, though oil refining processes can reduce residue levels significantly.

A 2016 EU monitoring program of 6,761 food samples found quantifiable residues in 3.6% of samples, with 19 exceeding EU MRLs. Products most frequently detected included dry lentils, linseeds, soy, dry peas, tea, buckwheat, barley, wheat, and rye.

EWG product residue findings

The Environmental Working Group tested oat-based foods from US grocery stores in 2018 and published findings that attracted significant media coverage. EWG's own health benchmark for glyphosate in food was 160 parts per billion (ppb), a limit the group derived independently and far below the EPA's tolerance levels.

The following table presents findings from EWG's 2018 testing, as reported in the organization's published summary and subsequent press materials. These are EWG's test results; EPA considers these residue levels below thresholds of concern.

Brand	Product	Glyphosate found (ppb)	EWG benchmark (ppb)	Source
Quaker	Old Fashioned Oats	1,000+	160	EWG 2018 oat report
Quaker	Quick 1-Minute Oats	1,000+	160	EWG 2018 oat report
General Mills	Cheerios	729	160	EWG 2018 oat report
General Mills	Nature Valley Granola Protein Oats 'n Honey	566	160	EWG 2018 oat report
Back to Nature	Classic Granola	267	160	EWG 2018 oat report

All products in the table were conventional (non-organic). EWG tested certified organic versions of several products and found much lower or non-detectable levels. The ppb levels found exceed EWG's 160 ppb benchmark, but the EPA's tolerance for oats is 30 ppm (30,000 ppb), meaning these residues are legal under current US rules.

Can you avoid glyphosate?

Yes, with some trade-offs.

Certified organic is the most reliable option. Organic certification prohibits synthetic pesticide use, including glyphosate. Testing of certified organic oat products consistently shows much lower residue levels than conventional equivalents, and many return non-detectable results. The premium is real: organic oat products typically cost 30-70% more at retail.

Soaking grains and legumes reduces some surface residues, but because glyphosate can be absorbed into plant tissue, soaking alone does not eliminate it.

Switching grains can help. Crops not commonly desiccated with glyphosate include rice, quinoa, amaranth, and millet, though residue monitoring data for these is more limited.

One caveat: the 2022 Canadian residue survey found that even among organic samples, a small proportion showed detectable glyphosate, likely from spray drift or contaminated irrigation water. Organic substantially reduces exposure but is not a guarantee of zero residues.

FAQ

Is glyphosate in my food?

Yes, for many people. A Canadian government survey of 7,955 food samples found 42.3% contained detectable glyphosate. The foods most commonly found with residues are oats, wheat, lentils, soy, and chickpeas.

What foods have the most glyphosate?

Oat-based products tend to carry the highest residue levels, because glyphosate is used on oats as a pre-harvest desiccant. Lentils, soybeans, chickpeas, and conventional wheat products are also frequently detected. Certified organic versions consistently show lower or non-detectable residues.

Can you wash off glyphosate?

Partly. Surface residues on produce decrease with rinsing, but glyphosate is also absorbed into plant tissue. For oats and grains desiccated pre-harvest, rinsing has limited effect. Cooking does not reliably break it down.

Is glyphosate banned anywhere?

Several countries have restricted it, but no widespread global ban exists. The EU renewed authorization in late 2023 for ten years. Austria's national ban was blocked by the European Commission. Mexico is phasing toward a ban. Canada and the US continue to permit use.

Does organic food have glyphosate in it?

Certified organic should not, since synthetic herbicides are prohibited. A small proportion of organic samples in Canadian surveys showed trace levels, likely from spray drift. Organic substantially reduces exposure.

Is glyphosate found in baby food?

Yes, in some products. EWG's 2018 testing found glyphosate in oat-based baby cereals. Children's per-kilogram exposure is higher than adults eating the same product. Regulatory agencies maintain residues are below risk thresholds; some pediatric health groups have called for stricter limits for infant food.

What is the difference between glyphosate and Roundup?

Glyphosate is the active ingredient. Roundup is the Monsanto/Bayer brand name for herbicide products containing it. Roundup formulations also include surfactants and additives. "Roundup Ready" crops are genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate applications.

Sources

1. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). "IARC Monographs Volume 112: Glyphosate." World Health Organization, March 2015. Classification: Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans). https://monographs.iarc.who.int/

2. US Environmental Protection Agency. "Glyphosate: Interim Registration Review Decision Case Number 0178." EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0361. February 2020. Conclusion: "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans." https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate

3. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). "Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance glyphosate." EFSA Journal, November 2015; 13(11):4302. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4302

4. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance glyphosate. EFSA Journal, 2023. Conclusion: no critical areas of concern preventing renewal. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/pesticides/glyphosate-reassessment

5. Zhang L, Rana I, Shaffer RM, Taioli E, Sheppard L. "Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis and supporting evidence." Mutation Research Reviews in Mutation Research. 2019 Jul-Sep; 781:186-206. DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2019.02.001. Found 41% increased risk (meta-RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.13-1.75) in high-exposure populations.

6. Andreotti G, Koutros S, Hofmann JN, et al. "Glyphosate Use and Cancer Incidence in the Agricultural Health Study." Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2018 May 1; 110(5):509-516. DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djx233. Large prospective cohort of 54,251 applicators; no overall association between glyphosate and NHL found.

7. Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency. "Re-evaluation Decision RVD2022-08: Glyphosate." 2022. Conclusion: registration upheld; use according to label does not present unacceptable risks. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/pesticides-pest-management/decisions-updates/registration-decision/2022/glyphosate-rvd2022-08.html

8. WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). "Glyphosate." FAO/WHO. 2016. Conclusion: "glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet."

9. Johnson v. Monsanto Co. San Francisco Superior Court. Verdict August 2018; original award $289 million, reduced on appeal to $21.5 million. Groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson; diagnosis: non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

10. Hardeman v. Monsanto Co. US District Court Northern District of California. Federal jury verdict March 2019 that Roundup was a substantial factor in plaintiff Edwin Hardeman's non-Hodgkin lymphoma; damages reduced on appeal to $20.4 million.

11. Pilliod v. Monsanto Co. Alameda County Superior Court. Jury verdict May 2019; original award approximately $2 billion; reduced to approximately $87 million on appeal. Plaintiffs Alberta and Alva Pilliod; both diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

12. Bayer AG. Settlement announcement, June 2020. Approximately $9.6 billion to resolve more than 100,000 Roundup claims, without admission of liability.

13. Environmental Working Group (EWG). "Breakfast With a Dose of Roundup? Glyphosate Found in Oat-Based Foods." August 2018. https://www.ewg.org/childrenshealth/glyphosateincereal/ EWG health benchmark: 160 ppb; multiple oat products exceeded this threshold.

14. European Food Safety Authority. "Monitoring of pesticide residues in food in the European Union, 2016." Products with below-MRL glyphosate residues most frequently found in dry lentils, linseeds, soy, dry peas, tea, buckwheat, barley, wheat, and rye.

15. Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Residue survey of 7,955 food samples: 42.3% showed detectable glyphosate; 0.6% exceeded Canadian MRLs. Referenced in PMRA 2022 re-evaluation documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this ingredient.

Is glyphosate in my food?

Yes, for many people. A Canadian analysis of 7,955 food samples found that 42.3% contained detectable glyphosate quantities, though only 0.6% exceeded Canadian maximum residue limits. The foods most commonly found with residues include oats, wheat, lentils, soy, and chickpeas. Pre-harvest application of glyphosate as a desiccant on these crops is the main reason residues end up in finished food products.

What foods have the most glyphosate?

Oat-based products tend to have the highest residue levels among common grocery items. Glyphosate is used on oats and wheat as a pre-harvest desiccant, meaning it is sprayed directly on the crop shortly before harvest to speed up drying. This direct application is different from standard weed-control use and results in higher residue levels. Lentils, soybeans, chickpeas, and other legumes are also frequently found with residues. Conventionally grown wheat bread, oat-based cereals, and oat granola bars are the consumer products most likely to carry detectable levels.

Can you wash off glyphosate?

Partly. Glyphosate on the surface of grains or vegetables can be reduced by rinsing, but the herbicide is also absorbed systemically into plant tissue, meaning a wash alone does not remove all residues. Peeling root vegetables removes surface residues effectively. For oats and other grains where the residue is embedded in the grain itself from pre-harvest application, washing has limited effect. Cooking does not reliably destroy glyphosate. Choosing certified organic oats and grains is the most effective way to avoid residues, as organic certification prohibits synthetic herbicide use.

Is glyphosate banned anywhere?

Several countries have restricted or banned glyphosate, but a global ban does not exist. Austria passed a national ban in 2019 that was later blocked by the European Commission. Some EU member states including France and Germany have pursued phase-outs. The EU as a whole renewed glyphosate's authorization in late 2023 for ten years despite significant political opposition. Sri Lanka banned it in 2015, then reversed the ban in 2021 due to food security impacts. Mexico announced a phased ban targeting 2024, with implementation ongoing. In Canada and the US, glyphosate remains fully registered for use.

Does organic food have glyphosate in it?

Certified organic food should not contain glyphosate residues, as synthetic herbicides are prohibited under organic certification standards. However, cross-contamination can occur through spray drift from neighboring conventional fields or through shared equipment. Studies testing certified organic oat products have generally found much lower or non-detectable glyphosate levels compared to conventional products. If avoiding glyphosate is the goal, certified organic oats and grains are the most reliable option currently available.

Is glyphosate found in baby food?

Testing by advocacy groups has found glyphosate in some oat-based baby cereals and toddler foods. The Environmental Working Group tested oat-based products in 2018 and found glyphosate in oat cereals commonly given to young children. Because children's bodies are smaller, a given dose results in higher exposure per kilogram of body weight compared to adults. Regulatory agencies including Health Canada and the FDA maintain that residues in food remain below levels that pose health risks, but several pediatric health groups have called for stricter limits given children's disproportionate exposure.

What is the difference between glyphosate and Roundup?

Glyphosate is the active ingredient. Roundup is the brand name for a family of herbicide products made originally by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) that contain glyphosate as their primary active compound. Roundup formulations also include surfactants and other additives that help the herbicide penetrate plant tissue. Some research has suggested these co-formulants may have their own toxicity profile, though most regulatory reviews focus on glyphosate itself. When crops are described as 'Roundup Ready,' it means they are genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate herbicide applications, allowing farmers to spray fields to kill weeds without harming the crop.