Buzz
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, primarily found in products like Roundup, which has been linked to cancer with prolonged exposure. While the risks are still not fully established, there are several steps you can take to remove glyphosate from your diet. Avoid foods with high glyphosate levels, such as oats or soybeans, and look for food that is pesticide-free. If consuming fresh produce, washing them thoroughly can help reduce contamination. A little extra effort can go a long way in removing most of this chemical from your daily meals.
Steps
Eliminate glyphosate from your diet
Avoid non-organic oats and grains. Many farmers spray glyphosate on oats and simple grains like barley or quinoa to dry out crops for better yields. Always check the label or packaging for organic certification, as organic products are not treated with chemicals. If you're unsure whether a product is organic or contains glyphosate, you can look up more information online.
- Glyphosate can be present in breakfast cereals, bread, oatmeal, and granola bars.
- Glyphosate is not listed as an ingredient in processed foods, so products you buy may still contain residue.
- The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) set maximum allowable levels of glyphosate in food and products to protect consumers from hazardous exposure.
- You don’t need to remove all foods containing glyphosate from your kitchen, as the main concern is long-term exposure.
Buy organic products to avoid herbicides and pesticides. Although glyphosates are used on a variety of crops, organic foods are not chemically treated with herbicides or pesticides. Shop at organic food sections to find items free from these chemicals for your meals. Keep organic fruits and vegetables separate from other fresh produce when storing them, as chemicals could cross-contaminate one another.
- Common products containing glyphosate include soybeans, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and corn.
- Some glyphosate residue may still be present in organic foods due to wind contamination.
- Organic foods are typically more expensive than non-organic or processed foods.
Look for 'glyphosate-free' labels to avoid contamination. Some foods can be certified as glyphosate-free after being tested for contaminants. Check the packaging of products you’re considering to see if it’s labeled ‘glyphosate-free.’ A certification on the packaging will indicate that the product is safe, as it contains no contaminants or harmful chemicals. If there is no certification, the product may still contain glyphosate residue.
- You can also look for 'organic' or 'non-GMO' labeled products, as these are not treated with chemicals. However, cross-contamination could still result in some glyphosate residue.
Tip: If you're shopping at a farmer's market, ask the vendor about the pesticides or herbicides they use to determine if the product contains glyphosate.
Try growing your own produce to ensure it's glyphosate-free. You can cultivate crops near a sunny window or set up a small garden outside. Choose organic seeds or seedlings to grow a garden that will yield fruits and vegetables safe from glyphosate contamination.
- Some easy-to-grow vegetables at home include tomatoes, leafy greens, and herbs.
Support advocacy groups working to ban glyphosate to prevent future contamination. Many anti-glyphosate organizations are actively campaigning to ban this chemical. You can search online for petitions to sign or organizations to contribute to in order to support their cause. Sharing research on glyphosate and its potential effects can help raise awareness.
- Make sure to fully understand glyphosate before sharing information with others to avoid spreading misconceptions.
Wash produce contaminated with glyphosate
Wash produce with baking soda. This is an effective method to clean glyphosate. Mix 1 teaspoon (5g) of baking soda with 2 cups (480ml) of cold water and stir until dissolved. Soak the produce in this solution for about 15 minutes. The baking soda will help remove glyphosate residue, giving you more peace of mind when eating.
- Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables, even those with inedible skins like bananas or oranges. Glyphosate can stick to the outer surface and contaminate other items when in contact.
- You can prepare a larger batch of the solution if needed, just remember to keep the ratio of 1 teaspoon (5g) of baking soda to 2 cups (480ml) of water to avoid altering the flavor of your produce.
- If desired, you can also use fruit wash sprays from health food stores, although they’re not as effective as baking soda.
Rinse produce under running water to remove baking soda. Place the vegetables or fruits in a colander and turn on the faucet to run water over them for 1-2 minutes. Remember to stir or shake the produce to ensure even rinsing. Turn off the water and shake off excess water after rinsing to prevent wet produce.
- Avoid soaking the produce while rinsing, as glyphosate residue may still remain in the water and reattach to the food.
Tip: Use a vegetable brush to scrub away any remaining dirt or contaminants from the surface of the produce.
Dry produce with a paper towel to remove any lingering residue. After removing the produce from the colander, use individual paper towels to wipe each item clean. Be thorough to ensure you’ve removed any remaining residue on the surface, then store the produce in a bowl or container to prevent contamination from unwashed items.
- Don’t use one paper towel for all items, as residue from the towel can transfer back onto the produce.
Peel fruits and vegetables if you want to eliminate contaminants that may have penetrated the skin. Glyphosate residue can seep into the product through the skin, so it may remain even after washing. It's advisable to peel the produce and discard the skin to reduce any potential risk of glyphosate contamination.
Tip
- You will never be able to remove 100% of glyphosate.
Warning
- Glyphosate is still being studied by the EPA and FDA to determine its potential risks or negative effects on human health. As of July 2019, there has been no evidence suggesting it poses harmful effects.
What You Will Need
Wash produce contaminated with glyphosate
- Sink
- Bowl
- Baking soda
- Colander
- Paper towels
- Knife or peeler
- Vegetable brush (optional)
