Q: I read that the weed killer glyphosate-the one found responsible for causing cancer in that groundskeeper in California-is showing up in breakfast cereals. How do I keep this out of my house?-Anthony B., Brownsville, Texas
A: First of all, Anthony, don't panic just because glyphosate is a controversial subject. Many organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health, and of course the manufacturer Monsanto, believe glyphosate and its branded weed-killer Roundup are safe. In 2001, the Agricultural Health Study found "no statistically significant associations with glyphosate use and cancer." Currently the Food and Drug Administration allows a "fair amount" of glyphosate in several processed foods, because they don't think it's harmful.
However, there's that verdict in the $289 million lawsuit leveled against Monsanto and, according to The New York Times, more than 5,200 additional suits are in the pipeline. They're telling a different story, one echoed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization), which classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
Recently the Environmental Working Group found elevated levels of glyphosate in 31 of 45 test samples of conventionally grown oats in granola, oat breakfast cereals and snack bars. Even if levels in one sampled product are not necessarily going to cause you harm, the EWG warns that repeated exposure to glyphosate starting in childhood and lasting for decades could be harmful.
Roundup is the most-used herbicide in the U.S. It's on neighborhood lawns and genetically modified crops that have been made "Roundup-ready" to resist glyphosate. Everything it's sprayed on, such as weeds, that haven't been genetically altered dies. Glyphosate is also sprayed on non-GMO crops so they die, dry out and get harvested sooner.
To read the EWG's report-and see what foods tested positive and negative for glyphosate-go to EWG.org and search for glyphosate. Then you can see what products you might want to avoid. But remember, a lot more research needs to be done.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at [email protected].