Glyphosate in bread

6 out of 8 supermarket breads had glyphosate (Roundup) detected in them in independent tests carried out by No More Glyphosate NZ This suggests that more growers could be using the herbicide on their crops just before harvest, to make it easier to harvest.

Does this matter? Do repeated low doses of a carcinogen such as glyphosate matter? How are risk assessments from our regulatory authorities seriously underestimated?

Read more about details of the April 2026 test results and also other glyphosate test results on No More Glyphosate’s website.

Our regulatory authorities consider that low and repeated amounts of a carcinogen like glyphosate don't matter, even though they can't scientifically prove this. They do NOT consider the endocrine disrupting effects nor neurotoxicity, nor the effects on the gut. Their risk assessment is seriously underestimated.

All bread in NZ and Australia is high in pesticide residues because the wheat is sprayed post harvest with various pesticides. As a general rule the more refined a product is, the less likely it is to contain pesticide residues.

Don't rush out and buy nutrient-poor loaves with fewer pesticides however! Apart from lack of fibre and fewer minerals and vitamins, there are other things to consider, such as questionable additives in some breads, and whether the nutrients from the grain can be properly absorbed by the body. Read more about why you should avoid cheap supermarket bread.

Make your own, with sourdough, from organic flour!

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Alison White April 2026