Confusion around glyphosate (commonly known as Roundup) and its use in wheat farming has sparked concern among consumers. Is wheat “drenched” in chemicals before harvest? Are glyphosate residues harming our health? Let’s separate fact from fiction.
What Is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that helps farmers control weeds. It’s been used for decades in crops like corn, soybeans and wheat. In wheat farming, it’s typically used to control weeds before or immediately after the wheat is planted. It can sometimes applied before harvest, but only under specific conditions.
Is Wheat Sprayed with Roundup Before Harvest?
Sometimes, but not usually
Glyphosate may be used at the hard dough stage, when the wheat grain is fully mature and no longer absorbs nutrients or chemicals. Farmers use it to:
- Control late-season weeds
- Help the crop dry down evenly
- Improve harvest efficiency in wet or weedy conditions
This practice is more common in northern regions like Canada and the northern U.S. and rarely used in places like Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma or Nebraska, where winter wheat dominates.
Is It Safe?
Yes, when used properly and according to label instructions:
- The EPA sets strict residue limits for glyphosate in wheat (30 parts per million)
- Farmers must observe a minimum 7-day waiting period before harvest
- Wheat kernels are protected by a natural husk called a glume, which is removed during processing and further reduces residue risk
Myth Busting
| Myth | Fact |
| Wheat is drenched in Roundup | Glyphosate is used selectively and sparingly |
| Glyphosate enters the grain | The grain is shielded by a husk and not absorbent at maturity |
| Glyphosate causes gluten sensitivity | No credible evidence links glyphosate to digestive disorders |
What Do Recent Studies Say?
New research is exploring glyphosate’s long-term health effects. A 2024 study from Arizona State University found that short-term exposure caused brain inflammation and Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice. While these findings are concerning, they don’t reflect typical consumer exposure levels from wheat products.
The bottom line: more research is needed, but current regulations and farming practices keep glyphosate residues in wheat well below safety thresholds.
Learn More
Oklahoma State University, Glyphosate Use as a Pre-Harvest Treatment: Not a Risk to Food Safety
Kansas Wheat, The Truth about Roundup in Wheat
Food and Drug Administration, Questions and Answers on Glyphosate
Final Thoughts
Wheat farmers are committed to growing safe, nutritious food. Glyphosate is one tool in their toolbox, used responsibly and only when needed. If you’re concerned about food safety, the best thing you can do is stay informed and ask questions grounded in science.