US study reveals dangerous levels of chemical in popular oat-based foods that pose serious health risks
Last updated: February 16, 2024, 11:40 IST
Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
Packages of Cheerios, a brand owned by General Mills, are seen at a store in Manhattan, New York, US on November 12, 2021. (Reuters file photo)
Studies show that 80% of Americans are exposed to harmful pesticides in oat-based foods. Findings highlight concerns over fertility and puberty effects
A recent study from a US-based advocacy group has revealed shocking findings about Americans’ exposure to a little-known chemical found in oat-based foods like Cheerios and Quaker Oats. The study, published in Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental EpidemiologyFound that 80 percent of Americans tested positive for chlormequat, a harmful pesticide. New York Post informed of.
Chlormequat, described as a “highly toxic agricultural chemical”, is permitted for use in the US on imported oats and other grains. environmental working group (EWG). The chemical alters the growth of the plant, making it easier to harvest by preventing it from bending. The study found chlormequat in 92 percent of oat-based foods purchased in May 2023, including popular brands like Quaker Oats and Cheerios.
Despite these concerning findings, the manufacturers of these products, General Mills and PepsiCo, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Urine tests conducted by EWG between 2017 and 2023 revealed higher levels of chlormequat and more frequently in 2023 samples, suggesting increased consumer exposure to pesticides.
Specifically, chlormequat was found in 69 percent of study participants in 2017, rising to 74 percent between 2018 and 2022 and 90 percent in 2023. While research on the effects of chlormequat is ongoing, animal studies have shown potential harm to the reproductive system and fetal growth, raising concerns about its effects on humans. Despite these risks, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed allowing the use of chlormequat for the first time on barley, oats, triticale and wheat grown in the US.
The decision, deemed “dangerous” by EWG, was made in response to a request from chlormequat manufacturer Taminco. EWG is calling for action from the federal government, including a possible order from the Food and Drug Administration to test US foods for chlormequat. Until regulatory measures are established, EWG recommends that consumers choose organic oat products grown without toxic pesticides such as chlormequat and glyphosate.
