Is your bread safe? Here’s what to know after Florida study finds pesticide in store-bought bread
Sandwich bread investigation
Florida health officials detected a controversial weed-killing chemical in six types of popular store-bought bread, sparking a clash between state leaders and independent toxicologists over consumer safety. FOX 13's Craig Patrick investigates.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida health officials detected a controversial weed-killing chemical in six types of popular store-bought bread, sparking a clash between state leaders and independent toxicologists over consumer safety.
Florida bread safety dispute
What we know:
The Florida Department of Health recently stated it detected glyphosate—a pesticide commonly found in Roundup—in six types of popular, store-bought bread.
Governor Ron DeSantis stated that a lot of leg work went into ensuring the testing was done in a scientifically rigorous way.
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo raised alarms, stating "Our testing found high levels of glyphosate in some popular bread brands."
Chronic exposure to glyphosate is linked to harmful gut microbiome changes, liver inflammation, and adverse neurologic effects.
Independent toxicologists provide context
The other side:
Independent experts are providing context.
The federal safe limit set by the EPA for glyphosate in cereal grains—which includes the wheat used to make bread—is 30 parts per million (ppm).
The state published its findings utilizing a measurement of parts per billion (ppb).
Dr. Marie Bourgeois, a chemistry professor and toxicologist at the University of South Florida (USF), noted the state's decision to publish the data in parts per billion rather than utilizing the standard regulatory metric "just inflates the numbers."
When converted to match the federal metric, the EPA's limit of 30 ppm translates to 30,000 ppb. The highest level of glyphosate the state found in any bread was 191.04 ppb.
Dr. Bourgeois noted that these numbers are very small when compared to the established safety limits, adding, "I defy you to find someone who's going to be able to eat enough bread for that to be a problem."
According to statements from the American Bakers Association and related industry groups, the levels detected do not pose a health risk to consumers.
Request for administration responses
What's next:
FOX 13 has requested an interview with Governor DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Dr. Ladapo regarding these findings. Our investigators have also requested more specific details on the state's testing protocols, methods, and procedures. We are currently waiting for a response from the administration.
The Source: The report includes public statements from Governor Ron DeSantis and Dr. Joseph Ladapo. Context regarding the safety data and testing metrics was provided in an interview with USF toxicologist Dr. Marie Bourgeois. Federal limits referenced are established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Industry estimates regarding consumption limits were sourced from statements by the American Bakers Association.