A recent study highlighted that 80% of Americans tested have chlormequat, a lesser-known pesticide, in their bodies due to consuming certain foods.
This study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, revealed the widespread presence of chlormequat, a plant growth regulator not approved for use on edible crops in the U.S. Despite this, foods treated with chlormequat from abroad are permitted entry into the country.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), in a report accompanying the study, expressed serious concerns, stating the findings “ring alarm bells.” This is because chlormequat, found in popular oat and wheat-based products like Cheerios and Quaker Oats, is considered harmful.
Chlormequat chloride functions by inhibiting stem growth in plants, facilitating easier harvests. It’s commonly applied to wheat, oats and barley. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed the importation of foods treated with chlormequat in 2018, it remains unapproved for direct use on food crops within the U.S. However, it is sanctioned for use in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.
The study’s methodology involved analyzing urine samples from participants across three geographical regions from 2017 to 2023. It found that the pesticide’s concentration in Americans has risen over the years. Remarkably, 92% of oat-based foods tested in May 2023, including products from Quaker Oats and Cheerios, contained chlormequat.
Researchers also examined both traditional and organic oat and wheat-based foods, discovering chlormequat in 92% of conventional oat-based products tested across different periods. Organic products showed a significantly lower detection rate of 12.5%. Conventional wheat-based products tested in February 2023 showed a 22% contamination rate with chlormequat.
The presence of chlormequat was confirmed in several products from General Mills, including Cheerios, and Quaker Foods products like oatmeal and granola bars. Store-brand products from retailers such as Walmart and Target were also found to contain the chemical.
General Mills spokesperson Mollie Wulff emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating, “All our products adhere to all regulatory requirements. Food safety is always our top priority at General Mills, and we take care to ensure our food is prepared and packaged in the safest way possible.” PepsiCo, the parent company of Quaker Foods, has not commented on the findings.
The full impact of chlormequat on human health remains uncertain, with existing research primarily focused on animal studies. These studies suggest potential links to infertility, disrupted fetal growth, delayed puberty and metabolic system disruptions.
The EWG has voiced concerns over these findings, especially in light of a 2023 EPA proposal, following a 2019 application by chlormequat manufacturer Taminco, to permit the chemical’s use on barley, oat, triticale and wheat crops in the U.S. for the first time. The EWG opposes this plan, citing the need for further investigation into the chemical’s effects on human health.
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