Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar

Common questions

Is Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar healthy?

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar scores 1/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar scores 1/100.

Does Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar contain seed oils?

No — Scout's ingredient analysis marks Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar as seed-oil free.

Has Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar been lab-tested?

Yes. Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar carries an independent laboratory panel from EWG covering 2 contaminants (including Glyphosate, Chlormequat) — the full results are on this page.

How processed is Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar?

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

How does Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar compare to other cereal?

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar ranks #33 of 35 cereal in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is The Real Cereal Co. Organic Rice Crisps at 95/100.

Which ingredients drive Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Whole Grain Oat Flour counts in its favor; Maltodextrin, Sugar + Brown Sugar + Molasses are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar

Quaker
Seed oil free Lab tested
1 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 2
Owned by PepsiCo
Category Cereal
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.

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

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 →
Whole Grain Oat Flour
Good

Provides fiber and nutrients from whole grain oats.

See more about Whole Grain Oat Flour →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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