Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar

Quaker
Seed oil free Lab tested
1 Poor
$4.97 · 21 oz
View on Amazon
Verified Amazon match

Summary

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar scores 1/100. EWG's February 2024 chlormequat study detected the pesticide at ~100 ppb. Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator linked to reduced fertility and developmental toxicity in animal studies; it is not approved for use on food crops grown in the U.S. EWG's 2023 panel also found 445.1 ppb glyphosate in this product — extremely high. The two-pesticide contamination plus maltodextrin and three sweeteners drive the score below 20.

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by PepsiCo
Category Cereal

Contaminants 2

Source: EWG

Glyphosate
445.1 ppb
High

Detected at a high level — at or above health-based benchmarks such as EWG's 160 ppb children's-health benchmark. Regular exposure at this level is a genuine health concern. Glyphosate is classified as a probable human carcinogen by IARC, and glyphosate-residue-free supply chains exist — so its presence reflects ingredient sourcing.

EWG 2023 testing detected glyphosate at 445.1 ppb — extremely high.

Chlormequat
~100 ppb
High

Detected at a high level — at or above health-based exposure limits. Regular exposure at this level is a genuine health concern. Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator (PGR) used to shorten cereal stalks pre-harvest. Animal studies link chlormequat exposure to reduced fertility, delayed puberty, and developmental toxicity (Environmental Health Perspectives 2018; Reproductive Toxicology 2020). Chlormequat is not approved for use on food crops grown in the U.S., so its presence in this product indicates pre-harvest spraying on imported (likely Canadian or European) oats. There is no FDA tolerance for chlormequat in oat-based foods sold in the U.S.

EWG's February 2024 study detected chlormequat chloride at ~100 ppb in this product. EWG detected chlormequat in 80% of urine samples from a U.S. population in 2023.

Key ingredients 3

Whole Grain Oat Flour
Good

Provides fiber and nutrients from whole grain oats.

See more about Whole Grain Oat Flour →
Maltodextrin
Bad

Highly processed starch with glycemic index of 85-105, higher than table sugar.

See more about Maltodextrin →
Sugar + Brown Sugar + Molasses
Bad

Three separate sweeteners. 9g sugar per serving.

See more about Sugar + Brown Sugar + Molasses →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

Get the full breakdown in the Scout app

Scan any product to see lab results, healthy alternatives, and your personalized analysis.

Download on theApp Store