The shocking find was uncovered by the Fast Food Testing Program backed by Moms Across America (MAA) and its affiliates, including Children’s Health Defense. MAA sent 42 samples from the 21 brands to the Iowa-based Health Research Institute (HRI) in their "original packaging" – untouched and frozen. The HRI then tested the samples for glyphosate alongside 236 agrochemicals, four heavy metals, PFAS phthalates, mineral content and 104 commonly used veterinary drugs and hormones, B vitamins and calories. (Related Glyphosate is spreading further into the ecosystem, now detected in surviving wildflowers and bee pollen.)
Panera Bread, a self-proclaimed proprietor of "good food" and "clean, wholesome foods," contained the highest levels of glyphosate in two samples.
Arby's sandwiches came in at the second-highest levels.
Dairy Queen and Little Caesar's were nearly tied for third third-highest total glyphosate detected.
Meals from Chipotle, one of the first fast-food restaurants to advertise non-GMO and organic ingredients, were found to have the lowest levels, which is 94.4 times lower than the highest levels detected in Panera Bread.
Meals from Panda Express and McDonald's were the next lowest levels.
Meanwhile, the laboratory noted these observations during pesticide testing:
90 percent of fast-food brands contained at least trace levels of 27 different kinds of harmful pesticides.
Domino's and Pizza Hut pizzas were found to have the highest levels of pesticides.
Chipotle, In-N-Out and Panera Bread all had either trace or detectable and concerning levels of pesticides.
According to a study published in the journal Toxicology Reports, chronic toxicity caused by long-duration exposure to pesticides to even low doses of oral consumption can become evident much later as chronic diseases, including asthma, cancer, congenital defects, dermatitis, endocrine disorders, immunotoxicity, neurobehavioral disorders and reproductive dysfunctions.
Clothianidin: Side effects include lethargy, reduced movement and loss of balance followed by spasms and respiratory distress, according to the publication Emerging aquatic contaminants.
Dimethoate: Side effects include diarrhea, headache, loss of coordination, muscle twitching, nausea, vomiting and death; potential damage to developing fetuses; personality changes, including anxiety, depression or irritability; and possible damage to the nervous system, according to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).
Fenpyroximate: Side effects include arrhythmia, bradycardia, central nervous system depression and respiratory distress, convulsions, incoordination, nausea or vomiting, based on a study published in the journal Clinical Case Reports.
Imidacloprid: Side effects include breathlessness, confusion, dizziness, eye or skin irritation and vomiting; may develop tremors, experience trouble walking and seem overly tired, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.
Indoxacarb: Side effects include chocolate brown mucous membranes, cyanosis, dyspnea and lethargy, according to the book titled "Insect Resistance Management" (second edition).
Pirimiphos methyl: This pesticide can cause blurred vision, coma, convulsions, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, muscle twitching, nausea and vomiting, sweating, tightness in the chest and even death, warns the NJDOH.
Tricyclazole: This chemical can moderate dizziness, nausea and vomiting, respiratory failure and death, according to the book titled "Paper-based Analytical Devices for Chemical Analysis and Diagnostics."
MAA founder and Executive Director Zen Honeycutt said: "The levels of glyphosate and pesticides found in these popular fast-food brands may be a significant contributing factor to the rise of liver disease and organ damage in America."