When EWG found a toxic agricultural chemical in 12 packaged foods, including Cheerios and Quaker Oats, I was alarmed.

When EWG’s head of investigations told me this chemical, chlormequat, can cause a frightening amount of harm, I panicked.

Chlormequat has been linked to nervous system harm, disrupted fetal growth and reproductive toxicity. It’s not allowed on food crops grown in the U.S., but the Trump administration started allowing its presence on imported foods in 2018. They even doubled the legally allowed level just three years ago.

To be clear: Chlormequat levels in our food are UNSAFE, yet completely legal under current EPA regulations. We need your help to change that. We’re counting on 2,500 of our top supporters to weigh in by midnight tonight to help us formulate our plans on chlormequat. Can we count on you to join us, friend?

Thanks for your response, friend.

Helen Lucey
Senior Director Digital Strategies, EWG