Collagen and Glyphosate. What You Need to Know

Glyphosate (aka Roundup) contamination of collagen and powdered bone broth products is widespread. How to be sure your preferred brand is safe to consume regularly.

One big reason to avoid conventional processed foods goes far beyond the fact that they are empty calories loaded with free radicals from rancid, usually GMO oils like canola.

Testing by independent bodies such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has uncovered shockingly high levels of glyphosate contamination in these foods as well. (1)

Concerned consumers have even started testing their favorite supplements out of their own pockets. A friend of mine has been quietly testing brands of hydrolyzed collagen peptides over the past couple of years with rather shocking results.

Some of these collagen brands contain glyphosate residue at unsafe levels even according to the lenient FDA, which suggests “safe levels” about double what EWG recommends. (2, 3)

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and related products, is known to decimate beneficial bacteria in the gut. Over a thousand lawsuits are currently pending where the plaintiffs allege that exposure has given them cancer. Some have been awarded damages in the billions of dollars so far. (4)

How can this be happening? Many of these brands are organic and grass-fed…supposedly the buzz words for clean food.

While buying organic brands definitely can reduce the problem, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely.

Why is Glyphosate Turning Up in Collagen?

Herbicide spraying with glyphosate-based products is so widespread that the runoff is contaminating water supplies for entire communities. (5, 6)  I really hope you’re filtering your tap or well water!

In addition, organic farms in close proximity to conventional operations can experience wind-driven contamination when farmers apply pesticides and herbicides like Roundup nearby.

This cross-contamination means that animals grazing on unsprayed pastures can still be exposed to the ravages of glyphosate, and the residue can end up in your grass-fed products and eventually on your dinner plate.

While this information is certainly concerning, there is no need to stop using a collagen supplement based on fears that the potential for glyphosate residue is going to do more damage to your gut than the benefits to your skin and joints!

The answer is to use glyphosate free collagen.

While many brands say they are free of Roundup residue, as of the publishing date of this article, only one brand is certified free of glyphosate with test results certified by an independent body.

Roundup Residue Free Collagen Brands

I was very surprised to learn that there are still only two clean brands of collagen as tested and certified by The Detox Project.

This is up from only one when I first wrote this article in 2019!

The first is this brand of collagen capsules. They are great for traveling and for those who prefer to take collagen as a supplement rather than a powder added to foods.

If you use collagen regularly in smoothies like our family does, this brand of collagen powder is also certified clean. It is available as elderberry collagen and chocolate collagen powder as well (sweetened with monkfruit).

Note that significant discounts are available using coupon code HEALTHYHOME10. Get an additional 25% off by buying 3 containers or more for a total savings of 35%.

Warning: NO Clean Bone Broth Powder Brands

As of this update, there are no brands of bone broth powders that are certified clean. I would steer clear of these products for the time being!

Until we’ve turned a corner on the incredible pollution that is affecting conventional agriculture…with the negative effects spilling over onto organic and pastured operations…there really is no other choice in my view.

My prediction is that food and supplements labeled “glyphosate free” will become quite important in the coming years. Perhaps it will evolve into certification as important as GMO-free is now.

“Organic” and “grass-fed” are no longer be sufficient to guarantee clean whole food supplements.

This is especially true for those that concentrate animal tissue like collagen.

In the meantime, what I’m doing to protect myself and my family is to insist that brands I patronize are doing their due diligence with testing to ensure safe products for their customers.

References

(1) Glyphosate Contamination Goes Far Beyond Oat Products
(2) Q/A on Glyphosate
(3) Health Benchmark Glyphosate Exposure
(4) Monsanto Pending Lawsuits
(5) Glyphosate and Drinking Water
(6) Glyphosate Found in Many Midwestern Streams