Quaker Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut

Quaker
Seed oil free Lab tested
1 Poor
$12.99 · 14.5 oz · pack of 3
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Summary

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut scores 1/100. EWG's February 2024 chlormequat study detected the pesticide at ~160 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. Stacked on top of EWG's 2023 finding of 382.6 ppb glyphosate (very high) plus maltodextrin and three separate sweeteners, this is one of the most heavily-contaminated oat-based cereals in either study.

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by PepsiCo
Category Cereal

Contaminants 2

Source: EWG

Glyphosate
382.6 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 382.6 ppb — very high.

Chlormequat
~160 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 ~160 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.

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

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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