Synthetic Chemicals in Grain and Nut Products

The first six organophosphorus and chlorinated organophosphorus pesticides dominate wheat-based products. Exhibit 7 shows that virtually all wheat-based products are, at a minimum, contaminated with malathion and chlorpyrifos-methyl. These data also suggest that although corn-based products can contain malathion and chlorpyrifos-methyl, they are much less likely to be contaminated by the first six organophosphorus and chlorinated organophosphorus pesticides. 

Just like the previous categories, some USDA certified organic grain and nut products will, however, be contaminated with banned pesticides. 

These data show that peanut products (peanut butter and dry-roasted peanuts) are contaminated with at least three banned pesticides, while mixed nuts, butter crackers, popcorn, sweet roll, pancake mix, and cornbread were reported to contain banned pesticides. Given the low percentage of imports for these products, the occurrence of these pesticides can be said to be the result of past U.S. agricultural practices. Once again, this suggests that even USDA certified organic peanut products will contain a mixture of banned pesticides. The occurrence of banned pesticides in the other grain-based products may be associated with the occurrence of butter or oils in these mixed products. 

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