Chemical in Cheerios, Quaker Oats May Cause Infertility

A pesticide that may cause infertility is present in the majority of oat-based foods sold in the United States, according to a new study. What's more, the pesticide is allegedly found in popular cereal brands, such as Quaker Oats and Cheerios.

The new study is from the Environmental Working Group. The EWG's mission is "to empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment." They add, "Since 1993, the Environmental Working Group has shined a spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices and industry loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment."

The EWG found that the pesticide, chlormequat, was detected in 77 of 96 urine samples taken from 2017 and 2023. Moreover, levels increased in the most recent years. In fact, chlormequat was found in 92% of oat-based foods sold in the United States in May 2023. That includes the popular cereals Quaker Oats and Cheerios. That's according to a study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. "The fact that so many people are exposed raises concerns about its potential impact on public health, since animal studies link chlormequat to reduced fertility, harm to the reproductive system and altered fetal growth," the EWG states in their findings. The chemical has been linked to infertility in animals.

So, how did it get into our food? It has to do with a change in regulations back in 2018. The Environmental Protection Agency regulations allow the chemical to only be used on ornamental plants. That means it's not allowed on food crops grown domestically. But, it's used on imported oats. According to the EWA, "Chlormequat was not allowed on oats sold in the U.S. before 2018." But, in 2018, the administration in office at that time "gave first-time approval for some amount of the chemical on imported oats. The same administration in 2020 increased the allowable level." Cheerios maker General Mills and Quaker Oats, a division of PepsiCo, haven't sent out a comment about the findings yet.