Harmful Chemicals Found in South African Baby Cereal As Watchdog Group Calls for Ban

• A watchdog group found traces of a harmful chemical in baby cereal, bread, maize meal and wheat flour sold in South Africa
• The African Centre for Biodiversity says finding glyphosate in baby cereal is deeply worrying
• Two of the products tested came back with glyphosate levels above the legal limit, raising serious questions about what South Africans are eating every day
• Briefly News spoke to medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy on the health concerns surrounding harmful chemicals being found in baby cereal and other everyday food products in South Africa

Nerissa Naidoo, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, previously worked as an editor, content creator, researcher, and ghostwriter before joining the team.

SOUTH AFRICA - A report released in February 2026 by the African Centre for Biodiversity has raised alarm bells about what is ending up in some of South Africa's most commonly eaten foods. The organisation tested a range of staple products and found traces of glyphosate in maize meal, wheat flour, bread, and baby cereal. This is the active ingredient in a product widely used to kill weeds. Two of the products came back with levels that went over the legal default limit. This caused the ACB to formally ask the Department of Agriculture to ban glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in the country.

Read also

Severe weather leaves 18 dead across South Africa as relief teams remain on the ground

Why glyphosate in baby cereal is a big deal?

Glyphosate is an endocrine disruptor. It can affect their physical health and development. Babies also face a higher risk than adults because their organs are still developing. They eat more food relative to their body weight, and their bodies are not yet fully equipped to process and clear out harmful chemicals. The concern is not just about a single exposure but about eating these products day after day. This, unfortunately, is exactly what millions of South African families do with staples like maize meal and bread.

How did glyphosate get into the food?

According to the report, glyphosate is not approved for use on wheat in South Africa, which makes its presence in wheat flour and baby cereal even harder to explain. The ACB suspects that a farming practice called pre-harvest desiccation, where crops are sprayed with chemicals shortly before harvest to dry them out and speed up the process, could be one reason.

Read also

"People don't wash their hands": 115 cruise ship passengers fall ill from norovirus, SA stunned

One maize meal sample that tested positive was labelled as genetically modified, which connects directly to the issue since GM maize varieties in South Africa are often engineered to tolerate glyphosate. This means that the herbicide is sprayed directly onto the crop while it grows.

Current news on the chemical?

Glyphosate has been a hot topic for years. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, working with the World Health Organisation, classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.

The ACB's request for a ban has not yet been acted on by the Department of Agriculture.

Speaking to Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo, medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy discussed the health concerns surrounding harmful chemicals being found in baby cereal and other everyday food products in South Africa. She explained:

“Findings like these are concerning, especially when products meant for babies and young children are involved. Babies have developing bodies and immune systems, which can make them more sensitive to harmful substances. While more research may still be needed in some cases, long-term exposure to certain chemicals may raise concerns about growth, development, and overall health, which is why food safety monitoring is extremely important.”

Read also

"Nope, you cannot do that": KZN kitten gets saved from almost getting eaten in roadside rescue

When asked what safer alternatives parents can use if they are worried about processed baby foods, Rangasamy shared:

“Parents who are concerned can consider fresh, home-prepared foods where appropriate for the child’s age and nutritional needs. Options like homemade vegetable purées, oats, fruits, and other minimally processed foods may help reduce concerns about additives or contaminants. However, parents should always ensure babies still receive balanced nutrition and speak to a healthcare professional if they are unsure about dietary changes.”

More on food and product safety stories

Briefly News recently reported that informally made three-legged pots were found to contain possible traces of lead. The Department of Health warned that lead poisoning has no visible signs, making it one of the hardest health risks to detect at home.

The South African government stepped in to reassure women that sanitary pads are safe. This was after a study raised concerns about chemicals found in various menstrual products.

Nearly 18 months after children died from food poisoning linked to spaza shops in South Africa, investigations are still ongoing with no charges filed.

Source: Briefly News