Florida’s Department of Health tested eight bread products from five national brands commonly available in grocery stores. Six tested positive for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup weed killer. Levels ranged from 10.38 to 191.04 parts per billion. All tested below EPA tolerance limits, which range from 0.1 to 400 parts per million depending on the crop. The FDA does not require glyphosate levels on food labels.
Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced the results February 5 at Palm Beach State College. Independent labs found triple-digit glyphosate levels in Nature’s Own Butterbread, Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White, Wonder Bread Classic White, and Sara Lee Honey Wheat. Dave’s Killer Bread tested positive at lower levels. Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse White showed no detectable glyphosate. Results are posted at exposingfoodtoxins.com.
This marks the third round of testing under Florida’s “Healthy Florida First” initiative. In January, Florida tested 24 infant formula products from seven major brands and identified elevated levels of mercury, arsenic, and lead compared with health-based screening benchmarks. Some formulas contained both lead and mercury. Earlier in January, Florida analyzed 46 candy products from 10 companies and detected arsenic in multiple products.
Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide. It’s applied to genetically-engineered crops and used by homeowners for weed control. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The EPA says glyphosate has low toxicity for people and poses no risks to public health when used as directed. The EPA establishes tolerance levels for pesticide residue in food based on testing data. Current limits for glyphosate range from 0.1 to 400 parts per million. The FDA follows the EPA’s lead on pesticide safety.
Surgeon General Ladapo called glyphosate the most concerning finding in the bread testing. He cited research linking exposure to impacts on the gut microbiome and the blood-brain barrier. “This is something that basically doesn’t seem to have a safe level of exposure,” Ladapo said. “Eighty percent of Americans have it in their urine.” Casey DeSantis said testing found “triple-digit glyphosate levels” in widely consumed brands. She described a “major disconnect” between warning labels on glyphosate products and its presence in everyday food. Glyphosate containers carry warnings to avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Industry groups have defended tested products as meeting federal safety standards. The National Confectioners Association responded to Florida’s candy testing by claiming arsenic was naturally occurring. Industry statements do not address why some brands test clean while others contain measurable levels of the same contaminants.
Neither the EPA nor FDA requires food manufacturers to disclose glyphosate levels on product labels. Both agencies have access to pesticide residue data. The EPA uses this data to set tolerance levels. The FDA monitors compliance with those levels. Testing capability exists. Third-party labs conduct the analysis. Florida paid for the tests and published the results on a public website.
Casey DeSantis said “consumers deserve to know what chemical contaminants are in their food so that they can make informed decisions.” Florida’s approach is disclosure without regulation. The state tests products, publishes data, and lets consumers decide what to buy. DeSantis said Florida is seeking to build a coalition of states conducting similar testing. “The FDA really looks for problematic instances within the food supply, and then they’re able to swoop in and hold people accountable,” Ladapo said. “But what we need to do is be able to bring this to their attention, through a coalition of the states.”
Florida used the same testing methods available to federal agencies. The state published results that federal agencies could publish. Casey DeSantis, a cancer survivor, said prevention should be prioritized alongside treatment. Florida has invested more than $1 billion in cancer care and research. DeSantis said the testing gives consumers information about products sold in stores. The state plans to expand testing to additional food categories.
All tested bread products fell within federal safety limits. The EPA and FDA have data on pesticide residue levels in food. Neither agency requires manufacturers to disclose glyphosate content on labels. Florida tested eight bread products and published the results. Six contained glyphosate. Two did not.
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