The Short Answer
Yes, most conventional flour contains glyphosate. The highest levels are typically found in whole wheat flour and oat flour, not white flour.
This happens because of a farming practice called desiccation. Farmers spray wheat and oat crops with glyphosate (Roundup) just days before harvest to kill the plants and dry them out evenly. This allows for an earlier, easier harvest but leaves significant pesticide residues directly on the grain you eat.
The only way to ensure your flour is clean is to buy Certified Organic. Organic standards prohibit the use of glyphosate. While wind drift from neighboring farms can cause trace amounts, organic flour consistently tests drastically lower (often non-detect) compared to conventional brands like Gold Medal or Pillsbury.
Why This Matters
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup and the most widely used herbicide in the world. It is classified as a "probable human carcinogen" by the IARC (part of the WHO) and has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, endocrine disruption, and gut health damage.
The problem isn't just GMOs. Wheat is not a GMO crop. The glyphosate is sprayed topically on the wheat berries right before they are turned into flour. This means you aren't just eating a plant that was sprayed months ago—you are eating grain that was doused days before processing.
Since glyphosate residues concentrate in the outer shell of the grain (the bran), conventional whole wheat flour often contains more glyphosate than refined white flour. The "healthier" choice is actually the more toxic one unless it’s organic. Is Bleached Flour Bad
What's Actually In Flour
When you buy a standard bag of conventional flour, you aren't just getting wheat. Here is what testing reveals:
- Glyphosate — Levels in conventional wheat products can range from 200 ppb to over 1,000 ppb. For context, EWG’s health benchmark for children is 160 ppb.
- Chlormequat — A plant growth regulator found in 92% of oat-based foods and many wheat products in 2024 tests. It is linked to reproductive toxicity.
- Potassium Bromate — An oxidizing agent used to "mature" flour faster. It is a known carcinogen banned in Europe, Canada, and China, but still legal in the US. Is Bromated Flour Safe
- Benzoyl Peroxide — A bleaching agent used to make flour bright white. Is Bleached Flour Bad
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- USDA Certified Organic — The single most important label. It legally bans glyphosate use.
- "Glyphosate Residue Free" Certification — A third-party seal from The Detox Project. This is the gold standard because it proves the final product was tested, not just that it followed organic farming rules.
- "Regenerative Organic" — Goes beyond organic to ensure soil health, which often creates a buffer against pesticide drift.
Red Flags:
- "100% Whole Wheat" (Conventional) — Without the organic label, whole wheat is a glyphosate sponge.
- "Enriched" — Usually indicates highly processed conventional flour that has been stripped of nutrients and had synthetic vitamins added back in.
- Chickpea/Legume Flours — Chickpeas are also heavily desiccated. Recent tests showed brands like Banza (chickpea pasta) having glyphosate levels near 3,000 ppb. Glyphosate In Pasta
The Best Options
Not all flour is created equal. We prioritized brands with third-party testing or strict organic sourcing.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Degree Organics | Sprouted Flours | ✅ | Certified Glyphosate Residue Free and fully transparent. |
| Jovial | Einkorn Flour | ✅ | Ancient grain, Glyphosate Residue Free certified. |
| King Arthur | Organic Flour | ✅ | Reliable organic sourcing and no bleaching. |
| Janie's Mill | Stone Ground | ✅ | Small farm, organic, tests show 0 glyphosate. |
| Bob's Red Mill | Organic Flour | ✅ | Organic line is clean; avoid their conventional/GF options if possible. |
| Gold Medal | All-Purpose | 🚫 | Conventional wheat; high risk of desiccation residues. |
| Pillsbury | Best for Bread | 🚫 | Conventional wheat; often bromated. |
> Note on King Arthur: King Arthur is a great company, but their Signature (conventional) flour is not glyphosate-free. You must buy the bag that explicitly says Organic. Is King Arthur Flour Clean
The Bottom Line
1. Switch to Organic immediately. It is the only reliable way to avoid desiccation chemicals in wheat. The price difference is worth it for a staple ingredient.
2. Avoid conventional whole wheat. If you can't afford organic, conventional white flour actually has less glyphosate than conventional whole wheat flour, because the toxin sits on the bran.
3. Check your Gluten-Free flour. Just because it's gluten-free doesn't mean it's clean. Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose tested at 151 ppb for glyphosate in 2024. Stick to organic GF blends.
FAQ
Does rinsing wheat berries remove glyphosate?
No. Glyphosate is systemic, meaning it is absorbed into the plant tissue. While rinsing might remove some surface dust, it cannot wash away the chemical that has been absorbed into the grain itself. Does Rinsing Rice Remove Arsenic
Is King Arthur flour glyphosate-free?
Only their Organic line. Their standard red-and-white bag (Signature Flour) is made from conventional wheat which is likely desiccated with glyphosate. However, King Arthur never bleaches or bromates their flour, making them better than Pillsbury even in the conventional aisle. Is King Arthur Flour Clean
Why is glyphosate in gluten-free flour?
Many gluten-free flours use oats, chickpeas, or potato starch. These crops are heavily sprayed with glyphosate as a drying agent (desiccant) before harvest. A 2024 study found nearly 3,000 ppb of glyphosate in chickpea pasta. Always buy organic legumes and oats. Glyphosate In Oats
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