Glyphosate found in staple foods in SA

TheAfrican Centre for Biodiversity(ACB) has formally requested Agriculture MinisterJohn Steenhuisento deregister and banglyphosateand glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs), citing new evidence that the chemical is present in staple foods and infant cereal consumed daily by millions of South Africans. In asubmissionto Steenhuisen and pesticides registrarMaluta Mudzungadated 25 February, the research and advocacy non-profit group described the continued use of glyphosate as an “urgent public health and environmental threat”. Laboratory tests commissioned by the ACB and certified by theSouth African National Accreditation System(Sanas) confirmed glyphosate contamination in maize meal, wheat flour, bread and infant cereal, with two products exceeding default national maximum residue limits (MRLs).

“These findings demonstrate real, measurable and ongoing dietary exposure, particularly among infants and low-income households who rely heavily on these staples and have limited alternatives,” wrote ACB’s executive directorMariam Mayet. In Impala special maize meal, both glyphosate and its persistent metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (Ampa) were detected, with Ampa exceeding the default MRL. Snowflake wheat flour exceeded the default MRL for glyphosate.

Trace amounts of both chemicals were found in Sasko premium white bread and Cerelac baby cereal contained trace glyphosate. Glyphosate and Ampa are associated with carcinogenic risks, endocrine disruption, gut microbiome damage and other health concerns. Ampa is persistent and toxic, compounding exposure risks.

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Mayet highlighted the broader context, noting that international studies now demonstrate carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting, developmental and multigenerational effects at doses previously considered safe. The2025 Global Glyphosate Studyshowed tumours at doses that regulators had deemed safe. At the same time, she said, the 2000 industry-aligned “safety” review, historically used to justify glyphosate approvals, has beenretracteddue to corporate ghostwriting and ethical misconduct.

Multiple US courts have linked glyphosate exposure to serious health harms, with more than 192000lawsuitsfiled against Monsanto/Bayer and more than 131000 resolved, yielding jury verdicts exceeding $6 billion since 2023. A proposed $7.25 billion national settlement last month further underscores acknowledged harm, she said. “These judicial outcomes highlight the global shift toward accountability and reinforce the need for a precautionary and risk-averse regulatory response in South Africa,” Mayet said.

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