A recent study found that 80% of Americans tested positive for a chemical commonly found in Cheerios

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that 80% of Americans tested positive for an additive called chlormequat which is linked to reproductive and developmental issues in animals. This chemical was detected in Cheerios, Quaker Oats and other oat-based foods. The study also found higher levels and more frequent detection of chlormequat in samples collected in 2023 compared to those from 2017 through 2022. This suggests that consumer exposure to chlormequat could be on the rise. The EPA proposed allowing the use of chlormequat in oats and other grains in 2023, but the chemical currently isn’t approved for use on edible plants in the U.S. The EWG urged consumers to opt for products with organic oats growth without synthetic chemicals until the government puts parameters around the use of chlormequat. PepsiCo and General Mills, the owners of Cheerios and Quaker Oats, did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for comment. The study has raised concerns about the safety of oat-based foods and the potential health effects in people from exposure to chlormequat.