{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000048","name":"Oat-Based Breakfast Cereals and Granola Bars","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"","tags":[]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"95% oat products detectable glyphosate; 74% above EWG children's benchmark (5 ppb); EPA tolerance 30,000 ppb (6,000× higher) Key materials: Pre-Harvest Glyphosate Desiccation: Dietary Residue Pathway in Grain, Pulse, and Oilseed Crops.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.625,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.173,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"pregnant women, children","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Carcinogenicity concern (high): Glyphosate"],"exposure_routes":""},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["oral_indirect","ingestion"],"users":["adult","child","pregnant"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children","Exposure during pregnancy with potential fetal transfer"],"notes":"Exposure to Oat-Based Breakfast Cereals and Granola Bars occurs via dermal. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling). Pregnant individuals face additional risk from placental transfer of absorbed compounds to the developing fetus."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Contains known carcinogen","meaning":"Glyphosate — classified by IARC or NTP as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans","action":"Minimize exposure; consider alternatives; follow use guidelines strictly"},{"indicator":"Overall risk level: high","meaning":"Multiple hazard pathways identified for this product category","action":"Limit exposure duration and frequency; use protective measures where applicable"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party tested for contaminants","meaning":"Independent lab verification of safety claims","verification":"Look for NSF, FDA, or EU compliance certification"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What materials are in direct contact with food?","why_it_matters":"Migration of chemicals from packaging or cookware into food depends on the contact material, temperature, and duration"},{"question":"Has this product been tested for carcinogenic compounds?","why_it_matters":"Products in this category may contain or release carcinogenic compounds; independent testing provides verification beyond manufacturer claims"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Fresh whole grain toast with nut butter","notes":"Fresher, minimally processed, no preservatives needed"},{"name":"Homemade granola with controlled ingredients","notes":"Control over sourcing, storage conditions, and additives"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR Parts 170–189 (Food Contact Substances)","citation":null,"requirements":"All food-contact materials must comply with FDA regulations for indirect food additives. Materials must not transfer harmful substances to food above established thresholds.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 (Framework Regulation on Food Contact Materials)","citation":null,"requirements":"Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food must not transfer constituents to food in quantities that could endanger human health or bring about unacceptable change in food composition.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Plastics in Food Contact)","citation":null,"requirements":"Specific migration limits (SMLs) for monomers and additives. Overall migration limit: 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg food. Positive list of authorized substances.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA — California","regulation":"California Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act)","citation":null,"requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require clear warning labels if exposure exceeds safe harbor levels. Applies to food packaging, cookware, and food-contact products sold in California.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"FDA 21 CFR","issuer":"FDA","standard":"21 CFR Parts 170-199","scope":"Food contact substances, indirect food additives, migration limits"},{"name":"EU 10/2011","issuer":"European Commission","standard":"Regulation (EU) No 10/2011","scope":"Plastic materials intended to come into contact with food"},{"name":"NSF/ANSI 51","issuer":"NSF International","standard":"NSF/ANSI 51 Food Equipment Materials","scope":"Materials used in commercial food equipment"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recycle by resin code if marked; check local program; food-soiled items may not be accepted","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"1-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"composite_material","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","name":"Rolled oats (base cereal grain)","role":"base_material","concentration_pct":"50-80"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000028","name":"Glyphosate residues (pre-harvest desiccant)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"trace ppb"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000002","name":"Sugar or honey (sweetener)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"5-20"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000005","name":"Vegetable oil (fat source)","role":"carrier","concentration_pct":"3-8"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000082","material_name":"Pre-Harvest Glyphosate Desiccation: Dietary Residue Pathway in Grain, Pulse, and Oilseed Crops","component":null,"prevalence":"common"}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000082","concern":"EWG 2018 oat product testing: 95% of oat-based foods = detectable glyphosate; 74% >5 ppb (EWG children's benchmark); Quaker Old Fashioned Oats: 1,125 ppb in one lot; Nature Valley Granola Bars: 535 ppb","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000082","concern":"EPA tolerance vs. EWG children's benchmark: EPA 30 ppm (30,000 ppb) vs. EWG 5 ppb = 6,000× difference; tolerance set for weed control use; not re-established for pre-harvest desiccation food contamination pathway","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000082","concern":"AMPA co-contamination: AMPA (glyphosate metabolite) detected at equal or higher concentrations than glyphosate in oat products; not routinely reported by USDA; no separate tolerance established","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000082","concern":"Frequency of use: oat-based cereals among most commonly consumed breakfast foods for American children; pre-harvest glyphosate desiccation widespread in North America (Canadian prairies, US Midwest); cumulative dietary exposure from early childhood","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000082","concern":"Potential contaminant: Arsenic leachate from CCA-treated wood","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-ino-000181"],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","compound_name":"Glyphosate","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000631","compound_name":"AMPA (Aminomethylphosphonic acid)","role":"base","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["oat-based breakfast cereals and granola bars","oat-based breakfast cereals","granola bars","oat-based breakfast cereals and granola bar"],"brands":["Quaker Oats","Cheerios","Nature Valley Granola Bars"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"report","title":"EWG 2018: Glyphosate in U.S. Oat Products — 95% Detection Rate; Quaker Oats up to 1,125 ppb","year":2018,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000082"},{"id":"src_002","type":"regulatory","title":"EPA Glyphosate Tolerance for Oats: 30 ppm (30,000 ppb) — Original Use Case vs. Pre-Harvest Desiccation","year":2020,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000082"},{"id":"src_003","type":"journal","title":"Pre-Harvest Glyphosate Desiccation in Grain Crops: Practice and Residue Pathway Analysis","year":2019,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000082"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:23:15.632Z"}}