MAA-Sponsored Testing & Results
When industry and regulators won't test our food, moms will. Here are the results of MAA's independent laboratory testing programs.
Our Testing Program
Moms Across America has been commissioning independent laboratory testing since 2013, driven by one simple question: What's really in our food? When government agencies and food corporations wouldn't provide answers, MAA partnered with accredited independent labs to find out.
Our testing has uncovered pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants in everyday foods — from baby formula to school lunches to children's breakfast cereals. These results have been shared with the EPA, FDA, USDA, and members of Congress, and have been covered by major media outlets worldwide.
All testing is conducted by independent, accredited laboratories. Where possible, results are submitted for peer review. MAA receives no funding from the food or agrochemical industry.
Key Test Results
A decade of independent testing has revealed what's hiding in America's food supply.
Breast Milk Study
The first-ever testing of American mothers' breast milk for glyphosate. 3 out of 10 samples tested positive at levels of 76 to 166 ug/L — far above the European drinking water standard of 0.1 ug/L.
Impact: This study made international headlines and demonstrated that glyphosate is not "excreted quickly" as industry had claimed — it accumulates in breast tissue and passes to nursing infants.
School Lunch Testing
MAA's testing of school cafeteria meals revealed the presence of glyphosate and other pesticide residues in foods served to children daily, including bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
Impact: Results were presented to school boards and congressional representatives, sparking local campaigns to demand organic school lunch options in districts across the country.
Children's Cereal Testing
Testing of popular children's breakfast cereals found that 90% contained chlormequat — a growth-regulating pesticide that has been shown to damage the reproductive system in animal studies. Chlormequat is not approved for use on food crops grown in the U.S., but is permitted on imported grains.
Impact: These results revealed a major gap in U.S. food safety regulation: pesticides banned domestically can still enter the food supply through imported ingredients.
Baby Food Testing
Multiple rounds of testing detected concerning levels of heavy metals — including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury — in popular baby food brands. Some samples contained levels exceeding FDA proposed action levels.
Impact: MAA's results contributed to congressional investigations (the "Baby Food Report") and increased public pressure for stricter heavy metal limits in infant foods.
Water Testing
MAA coordinated tap water testing across multiple U.S. cities and found glyphosate in municipal water supplies. Levels detected were 760 to 1,600 times higher than limits set by the European Union.
Impact: Results demonstrated that standard municipal water treatment does not adequately remove glyphosate, supporting the case for home water filtration and stricter EPA standards.
Our Methodology
Transparency and scientific rigor are central to MAA's testing program. Here's how we ensure our results are credible and actionable:
Independent Accredited Labs
All samples are sent to ISO 17025-accredited laboratories that have no financial ties to the agrochemical or food industry.
Peer Review Where Possible
MAA seeks peer-reviewed publication of results. Our breast milk study was reviewed by independent scientists and the methodology was validated by multiple toxicology experts.
Validated Testing Methods
Labs use EPA-approved methods (such as ELISA and LC-MS/MS) for detecting pesticide residues and heavy metals at parts-per-billion sensitivity.
Transparent Reporting
All results are published publicly with full methodology, sample sizes, and laboratory details. MAA does not selectively report findings.
What These Results Mean for Your Family
The consistent finding across all of MAA's testing is clear: toxic chemicals are pervasive in the American food supply, including in products marketed specifically to babies and children.
This doesn't mean you should panic — it means you should be informed. By choosing organic when possible, filtering your water, and demanding better standards from food manufacturers and regulators, you can dramatically reduce your family's exposure.
Every test MAA conducts brings us one step closer to a food supply that is safe for all families. But testing costs money — and the more testing we do, the stronger the case becomes for meaningful policy change.
Support More Testing
Every dollar funds independent lab tests that hold the food industry accountable. Help us keep testing — because families deserve to know what's in their food.