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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday it found residues of biotechnology giant Monsanto’s weed killer in oat products for babies, according to consumer advocate U.S. Right to Know.
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The testing showed residue of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’ Roundup herbicide, the most widely used weed killer in the world.
Glyphosate was detected in oat cereals with ‘cinnamon spice’ instant oatmeal; ‘maple brown sugar’ instant oatmeal and ‘peach and cream’ as well as plain and flavored oatmeal.
The sample results ranged from no detection to 1.67 parts per million of the weed killer.
The World Health Organization said in 2015 a team of international cancer experts determined glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen, and many scientists say it impacts human health and the environment.
Monsanto currently operates in 61 countries and has more than 22,000 employees. One third of its US$15 billion in annual revenues from products with glyphosate.
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Also, Monsanto has created genetically engineered crops that can resist glyphosates, such as soybeans, corn and sugar beets.
The FDA analyzes each year the residues of several types of pesticides, but skipped testing for glyphosate in the past decade. The company announced in February it would start analyzing glyphosate residues.
The FDA also found glyphosate in honey produced in the United States.
Monsanto has said in repeated occasions that glyphosate levels in food are too low for it to cause health problems in humans.
Taiwan, earlier this year, recalled 130,000 pounds of oat products that had glyphosate residues.
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