Shocking Glyphosate Levels in Popular Bread: Florida’s Eye-Opening Food Testing Report

In early February 2026, Florida’s Healthy Florida First initiative, spearheaded by Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, unveiled alarming results from independent laboratory testing on common bread products. The report highlighted the presence of glyphosate—a herbicide commonly found in Roundup—in six out of eight tested breads from major national brands available in Florida grocery stores. Described as “troubling” and “triple-digit” levels by state officials, the findings aim to empower consumers with transparency about potential toxins in everyday foods, building on prior tests for heavy metals in infant formula and arsenic in candy. This initiative reflects a broader push for food safety accountability, with officials emphasizing that even low exposures could pose long-term health risks.

The Florida Department of Health conducted the tests on eight products across five brands, revealing glyphosate residues ranging from non-detectable to 191.04 parts per billion (ppb). Specifically, Sara Lee Honey Wheat topped the list at 191.04 ppb, followed closely by Nature’s Own Butter Bread at 190.23 ppb, Wonder Bread Classic White at 173.19 ppb, and Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White at 132.34 ppb. Lower levels were found in Dave’s Killer Bread White Done Right (11.85 ppb) and Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grain (10.38 ppb), while Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White showed no detectable glyphosate. These results, released on February 6, 2026, via the exposingfoodtoxins.com website, underscore glyphosate’s prevalence due to its use in wheat farming as a pre-harvest desiccant.

State leaders have voiced concerns over glyphosate’s potential health impacts, linking it to disruptions in the gut microbiome, liver inflammation, and neurological effects, with Dr. Ladapo stating there may be no safe exposure level. First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted the “major disconnect” between consumer trust in grocery store products and the reality of pesticide contamination, urging informed choices to protect families. The report aligns with growing scrutiny of the chemical, classified as “probably carcinogenic” by some international agencies, though U.S. regulators maintain its safety at dietary levels.

Industry groups, including wheat growers and bakers, have pushed back, asserting that the detected levels are trace amounts—well below the EPA’s tolerance of 30 parts per million (30,000 ppb) for grains—and pose no health risk. Fact-checkers note that an adult would need to consume around 600 loaves daily to approach safety limits, framing the report as potentially alarmist. Public reactions on platforms like X range from outrage over “poisoning” foods to dismissals of the findings as exaggerated, with some users praising brands like Dave’s Killer Bread for lower residues.

As of February 15, 2026, no major updates have altered the initial findings, but the report has sparked calls for national reforms and stricter standards. Consumers are advised to opt for organic or low-residue options, while Florida plans further testing on additional food categories. This eye-opening disclosure not only challenges food industry practices but also encourages a shift toward cleaner, more sustainable agriculture to safeguard public health.

Key Test Results

From the official results shared on the Healthy Florida First site (exposingfoodtoxins.com/bread) and reported across news sources:

• Sara Lee Honey Wheat: ~191.04 ppb (highest reported)
• Nature’s Own Butter Bread: 190.23 ppb
• Wonder Bread Classic White: 173.19 ppb
• Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White: 132.34 ppb
• Dave’s Killer Bread White Done Right: 11.85 ppb (much lower)
• Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grain: 10.38 ppb (much lower)
• Sara Lee Artesano White: Non-detectable
• Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White: Non-detectable

The “shocking” aspect emphasized by Florida officials stems from the presence of this chemical in everyday staple foods like bread, often made from wheat that may be treated with glyphosate pre-harvest. They framed it as part of broader efforts for food transparency and reducing exposure to potential toxins.

Glyphosate remains controversial—some studies and advocacy groups link it to health risks (e.g., cancer concerns from IARC classification as “probably carcinogenic”), while mainstream regulators like the EPA maintain it’s not a risk at dietary exposure levels.

Overall, the Florida report aims to promote consumer awareness and informed choices, but the levels detected are not considered dangerous by federal standards. It’s part of a series of tests (following candy arsenic and infant formula metals checks) under the state’s push for stricter food safety transparency. If you’re concerned, opting for brands with lower/no detected residues (like certain Dave’s Killer Bread or the non-detect ones) or organic breads (which avoid synthetic herbicides) could be options.

The Florida Healthy Florida First initiative’s February 2026 bread testing (detailed on exposingfoodtoxins.com/bread and in state announcements) focused on eight popular non-organic and conventional bread products from major brands like Sara Lee, Nature’s Own, Wonder, Dave’s Killer Bread, and Pepperidge Farm. No explicitly certified organic breads were included in this specific round of testing.

Among the tested breads:

• Dave’s Killer Bread varieties (White Done Right at 11.85 ppb and 21 Whole Grain at 10.38 ppb) showed the lowest detectable levels. Dave’s Killer Bread is often marketed as organic or non-GMO, but these tested samples still had trace glyphosate (likely from cross-contamination or supply chain issues common in non-strictly organic farming).
• Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White were the only two with non-detect (below detection limit) glyphosate.

These non-detect results were for conventional (non-organic) white breads, not organic ones. Organic breads generally have a much lower risk of glyphosate residues because USDA organic standards prohibit synthetic herbicides like glyphosate in production. Independent tests (e.g., from groups like Mamavation or The Detox Project, referenced in related coverage) often find organic breads at 0 ppb or very low traces (e.g., under 50 ppb), far better than conventional.If you’re seeking organic bread options likely to test non-detect or near-zero for glyphosate (based on broader studies and the absence in Florida’s high-residue conventional samples):

• Look for certified USDA Organic brands like Ezekiel (Food for Life), Dave’s Killer Bread Organic lines (if available; note the tested ones weren’t fully organic-certified in reports), One Degree Organic Foods, or store brands with organic certification.
• These avoid pre-harvest desiccation with glyphosate, reducing contamination risk significantly.

For the most current or specific organic testing, check sites like exposingfoodtoxins.com for future rounds (the program plans more food categories) or third-party labs like The Detox Project’s Glyphosate Residue Free certification. If concerned, choosing certified organic is a reliable way to minimize exposure.

Even “healthier” brands aren’t immune: While Dave’s Killer Bread (often marketed as non-GMO and sometimes organic-adjacent) had the lowest detectable levels at just 10–12 ppb, it still tested positive for glyphosate—highlighting how trace contamination can occur even in brands avoiding direct use of the herbicide. In contrast, two conventional white breads (Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White) came back completely non-detect, surprising many who assumed “premium” or whole-grain options would fare better.