Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced Thursday the results of the latest phase of the state’s Healthy Florida First initiative, revealing the presence of glyphosate – the active ingredient in Roundup – in several popular bread brands.
Bread Brands Under Scrutiny
Testing commissioned by the Florida Department of Health found “triple-digit” levels of glyphosate in Nature’s Own Butter Bread, Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White, Wonder Bread Classic White, and Sara Lee Honey Wheat. Other brands, including Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse White, showed no detectable glyphosate, while Dave’s Killer Bread tested with lower levels compared to the others.
The initiative, led by the First Lady and the Surgeon General, aims to provide families with information about potential contaminants in food, information the state believes isn’t readily available from federal regulators. Previous testing focused on infant formula.
Concerns Raised About Glyphosate
Dr. Ladapo stated that glyphosate exposure “doesn’t seem to have a safe level,” citing potential effects on gut health, the blood-brain barrier, and metabolic function. He also noted that 80 percent of Americans carry measurable glyphosate in their bodies. Casey DeSantis described the presence of glyphosate in food as “a major disconnect,” emphasizing that the chemical is labeled unsafe for ingestion and should be kept away from children.
Governor DeSantis stated that Floridians “have a right to know” what is in the food they purchase and encouraged residents to monitor exposingfoodtoxins.com for ongoing results.
What’s Next?
The Governor indicated that additional food categories will be tested in the coming months, though specific items were not disclosed. Florida is also reportedly encouraging other states to join the effort, potentially building pressure on federal agencies, particularly the FDA, to address food safety concerns. It is possible that the state will continue to release testing data publicly, and may expand the scope of its testing based on emerging concerns or consumer demand. Further collaboration with other states could lead to a more unified approach to food safety regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Healthy Florida First initiative?
The Healthy Florida First initiative, led by the First Lady and the Surgeon General through the Florida Department of Health, tests popular consumer foods for contaminants and makes the results public on exposingfoodtoxins.com.
What foods have been tested so far?
The initiative has previously tested infant formula and candy, and most recently, bread. The Governor indicated that more categories of food will be tested in the coming months.
What did the testing reveal about glyphosate?
Testing revealed “triple-digit” levels of glyphosate in Nature’s Own Butter Bread, Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White, Wonder Bread Classic White, and Sara Lee Honey Wheat. Sara Lee Artesano White and Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse White showed no detectable glyphosate, and Dave’s Killer Bread tested low.
Given these new findings, what steps will you take to evaluate the foods you and your family consume?
