Study finds weed killer in more cereals, snack bars

DETROIT – A cancer-linked herbicide has been found in more than two dozen popular breakfast cereals and snack bars according to a report released Wednesday.

Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, was found in 26 of the 28 products the Environmental Working Group tested, in levels “higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health.”

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup, the most heavily used herbicide in the United States.

Quaker and General Mills, though, conclude the products are safe and there is no reason for concern.

“The tests detected glyphosate in all 28 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats. All but two of the 28 samples had levels of glyphosate above EWG’s health benchmark,” the group said.

In a statement, Quaker said: “EWG report artificially creates a ‘safe level’ for glyphosate that is detached from those that have been established by responsible regulatory bodies in an effort to grab headlines.”

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans” and the Environmental Protection Agency has set a safety level for the potentially dangerous chemical.

Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, strongly disputes that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and notes that over four decades, the EPA has consistently supported the safe and effective use of glyphosate.