Zen Honeycutt
Banned Pesticide Found in Popular Children’s Cereals,
Moms Across America Report Reveals
Majority of children’s cereals tested positive for chlormequat, a banned pesticide with severe health risks
High levels of this banned pesticide have been linked to infertility, cancer, Parkinson’s, and other harms
Lax regulations and loosened trade agreements allow dangerous chemicals in the U.S. food supply. Two cereal samples were positive for diquat and parquat, banned in other countries but allowed in the USA
General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios tops the list with 134.16 ppb of chlormequat
Asheville, N.C. – Aug. 25, 2025 –
A new investigation by Moms Across America has found disturbing levels of a banned pesticide, chlormequat, in some of the most popular children’s cereals sold in the United States.
Given this disturbing finding, Moms Across America is calling on the administration to revise the recently leaked draft of MAHA Commission strategy report, which falls short in calling for increased policy enforcement to reduce exposure of harmful pesticides to our children and American families.
The findings raise serious concerns about food safety, particularly for children, and call into question the effectiveness of regulatory oversight by the Food and Drug Administration.
Chlormequat, which has been linked to infertility, cancer, and developmental harm, was detected in 11 out of 14 cereal samples tested. The highest level—134.16 parts per billion—was found in General Mills’ Honey Nut Cheerios. It is not permitted for use on food crops in the U.S., and it was illegal for any imported grains to contain detectable levels of it until 2018.
Key findings include:
A majority of children’s cereals tested positive for chlormequat, a pesticide banned for use on food crops in the U.S.
The chemical has been associated with infertility, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and organ damage.
Two samples also tested positive for diquat and paraquat, pesticides banned abroad but still permitted in the United States.
Regulatory loopholes and relaxed trade agreements are enabling the entry of food products containing banned substances into the U.S. market.
Chlormequat is known to disrupt fetal development, impair liver and kidney function, and increase the risk of reproductive harm and chronic disease.
Despite these risks, the Environmental Protection Agency currently allows the importation of grains treated with chlormequat.
In response, Moms Across America is urging immediate action from several stakeholders:
To food manufacturers:
Implement batch testing of all ingredients and final products for pesticide residues before wholesale distribution.
To the FDA:
Strengthen pesticide regulations and move toward banning the 86 chemicals prohibited in other countries but still allowed in U.S. agriculture.
Mandate labeling of all ingredients and known contaminants.
To the Trump administration:
Restrict the import of products that contain pesticide residues banned in the U.S.
Enforce pre-entry testing through the use of tariffs and regulatory oversight.
To U.S. citizens:
Sign the organization’s petition and choose certified organic foods when possible to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
For more information or to view the full test results, visit www.momsacrossamerica.com