At PACHA Bread, our mission has always been to provide our customers with the healthiest, most natural bread options possible. We pride ourselves on sourcing ingredients from organic farms and ensuring that our products are free of the top nine allergens. However, recent findings from an independent study have brought to light an issue that we must address transparently and proactively.
The Study and Its Findings
An independent group recently conducted a study to test the presence of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, in various food products, including our PACHA bread. The results revealed that glyphosate was present in almost all the foods tested, including our products. This is a significant concern for us, and we share your disappointment and frustration regarding these findings.
It is important to note that the study tested only a single sample from each product. While this provides a snapshot of the presence of glyphosate, it does not capture potential variations in glyphosate levels across different batches of the same product. This means that while the findings are concerning, they are based on limited data.
You can read the full study done by Moms Across America HERE, and you can see the data here.
Understanding the Issue
Glyphosate is not used in organic farming practices, and PACHA sources all its ingredients from certified organic farms that adhere to strict no-glyphosate policies. However, the reality of modern agriculture is that contamination can occur through various channels, including water supplies and drift from neighboring non-organic farms that use glyphosate. This means that even farms with fully organic operations might have residual glyphosate on their fields.
The study found that PACHA bread had a glyphosate concentration of 4 parts per billion (ppb), which, while much lower than the concentrations found in many non-organic brands (some exceeding 2000 ppb), is still a cause for concern for us and our customers.
Allowable Glyphosate Levels in Drinking Water and Food
The maximum level of glyphosate allowed in drinking water in the United States is 700 parts per billion (ppb), as established by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in 1992. This limit is based on a laboratory animal toxicity study from the 1980s and does not consider the cancer risks of glyphosate or the health of children. In contrast, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research and advocacy group, considers 160 ppb to be the highest safe level of glyphosate in food for children. This health benchmark is based on the risk of long-term exposure, as small, repeated exposures can add up over time. For example, eating 60 grams of food with 160 ppb of glyphosate, which is equivalent to two cups of cereal, would reach the EWG's benchmark for daily exposure.
Given that PACHA bread contains 4 ppb of glyphosate, a child could consume a significant amount of our bread without exceeding the EWG's recommended daily exposure limit. Specifically, a child would need to eat 40 slices of PACHA bread (at 60 grams per slice) to reach the same level of glyphosate exposure considered safe by the EWG for a single day. This comparison underscores the relatively low level of glyphosate found in our products compared to the established benchmarks. However, we firmly believe that no level of glyphosate should be considered acceptable in our food supply. Our hope and goal is to help create a world where our products and ALL food are completely free of this harmful chemical.
Our Response and Commitment
We are actively working with our network of trusted farmers to address this issue. While the presence of glyphosate in our bread is disheartening, it is important to note that we are not alone. Many other organic brands were also found to have low levels of glyphosate, highlighting the widespread nature of this problem.
Here are the steps we are taking to address this issue:
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Collaborating with Farmers: We are in constant communication with our farmers to explore any possible measures to reduce glyphosate contamination. This includes investigating water sources and implementing buffer zones to minimize drift from neighboring farms.
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Advocacy for Change: We are committed to advocating for stricter regulations on glyphosate use in agriculture. Our goal is to support farmers in transitioning away from any chemical use, promoting healthier farming practices for everyone.
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Transparency with Our Customers: We believe in being open and honest with our customers. By sharing this information, we hope to raise awareness about the pervasive nature of glyphosate and the challenges faced by organic farmers.
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Continuous Improvement: We will continue to monitor our products and seek out new ways to ensure they remain as pure and natural as possible. Our commitment to providing healthy, safe food is unwavering.
Looking Forward
While we cannot guarantee that we can completely eliminate glyphosate from our products until it is banned in the United States, we are dedicated to doing everything within our power to minimize its presence. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this complex issue.
At PACHA, our ultimate goal is to create a world where organic farming can thrive without the threat of chemical contamination. We are hopeful that through continued efforts and collective action, we can achieve a future where everyone can enjoy truly clean and healthy food.
Thank you for your continued trust in PACHA Bread. Together, we can work towards a healthier, glyphosate-free future.
Feel free to reach us out for any questions you may have. We are here to listen and address your concerns.
Stay healthy and informed,
Maddie Hamann, PhD
PACHA Co-founder