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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the presence of glyphosate residues in food products, issuing Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to several major pesticide and food manufacturers, including Bayer and PepsiCo.
The investigation will examine whether companies are complying with Texas consumer protection laws and whether marketing claims associated with certain food products may be misleading to consumers, according to the Attorney General's office.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide, is one of the most widely used weed-control products in global agriculture. The chemical is commonly applied to genetically engineered crops and has been the subject of ongoing scientific, regulatory and legal debate regarding its potential health impacts.
In announcing the investigation, Paxton's office cited research linking glyphosate exposure to various health concerns, including cancer, endocrine disruption, infertility, kidney disease and autoimmune disorders. The office also referenced a 2015 determination by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
The investigation is expected to focus in part on glyphosate residues found in oat-based food products. According to the Attorney General's office, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prohibits the use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant on oats grown domestically, some food manufacturers source oats from countries where the practice remains permitted.
Desiccation, which involves applying herbicides before harvest to promote uniform crop drying, has become a focal point in discussions surrounding glyphosate residues in cereals, snack bars, cookies, and other oat-containing products. Consumer advocacy groups and researchers have periodically raised concerns about residue levels in foods frequently consumed by children.
The Attorney General's office noted that children may face higher dietary exposure to glyphosate due to consumption patterns and the prevalence of oats in breakfast and snack products marketed to younger consumers.
"If any corporation is using regulatory loopholes to poison our kids with glyphosate, we will find out, and we will secure justice," Paxton said in a statement. "My office is also investigating whether major food companies are complying with Texas law and whether consumers, especially parents, have been misled about the health claims of common food products marketed to their families."
The announcement adds to growing scrutiny of pesticide residues and food labelling practices across the food and beverage sector. Manufacturers have increasingly faced pressure from regulators, consumer groups, and retailers to enhance ingredient transparency and strengthen food safety assurances throughout global supply chains.
Neither Bayer nor PepsiCo had publicly responded to the Attorney General's announcement at the time of publication.
The investigation remains in its early stages, and no allegations of wrongdoing have been formally established. The Civil Investigative Demands are intended to gather information and documents that could inform any future enforcement actions.