Texas Attorney General Launches Investigation into Bayer and PepsiCo Over Glyphosate Contamination

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened a sweeping investigation into some of the world's largest corporations, demanding answers about the presence of glyphosate—the active ingredient in Roundup weed killer—in food products consumed by millions of Texans.

The investigation, announced June 2, targets pesticide giant Bayer and food manufacturer PepsiCo, among others. Paxton's office issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to these companies, seeking documents and testimony about how glyphosate residue ends up in food and whether consumers have been misled about product safety.

"If any corporation is using regulatory loopholes to poison our kids with glyphosate, we will find out and we will secure justice," Paxton stated in a press release. "No corporation is above the law, and no illegal action will go unpunished."

The Glyphosate Problem

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States, with more than 250 million pounds sprayed annually across American farmland. The chemical, developed by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), is the cornerstone of Roundup, a product familiar to virtually every pest control professional and agricultural operator in Texas.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen." Since then, research has linked the chemical to endocrine disruption, infertility, kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders. Studies show that over 70 percent of American adults now have detectable traces of glyphosate in their bodies—up from just 12 percent in 1993.

Children face particular vulnerability. Research indicates that kids between ages one and two have the highest dietary exposure to glyphosate of any population group, largely through oat-based products like cereals, breakfast bars, and cookies.

The Desiccant Loophole

Much of the glyphosate found in food comes from a practice called desiccation—applying herbicides to crops shortly before harvest to accelerate uniform drying. While the EPA prohibits using glyphosate as a desiccant on oats grown in the United States, major food companies often source oats from foreign countries where the practice remains legal.

This regulatory gap allows glyphosate residue to enter the U.S. food supply through imported grain, even when domestic farmers follow stricter rules. Paxton's investigation appears focused on whether companies have exploited this loophole while marketing products as "healthy" or safe for children.

Implications for Texas Agriculture and Pest Control

The investigation carries significant implications for Texas's agricultural sector and the broader pest control industry. Glyphosate remains a foundational tool for weed management across the state's vast cotton, corn, and soybean operations. Any restrictions or labeling changes resulting from the investigation could affect application practices and liability exposure for licensed applicators.

For pest control professionals, the case highlights growing scrutiny of chemical safety and the importance of transparent communication with clients about treatment methods and potential residues. The Texas pest control industry operates under strict TPCL licensing requirements, and regulatory shifts at the state or federal level could necessitate additional training or operational adjustments.

The Broader Context

Paxton's investigation arrives amid intensifying national debate over pesticide regulation. The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has pushed for stricter oversight of agricultural chemicals, while farm groups counter that regulatory delays threaten food production and farmer livelihoods.

Just one day after Paxton's announcement, agricultural industry leaders publicly urged EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to accelerate approval of more than 80 pending pesticide applications—many of which have cleared scientific review but await final authorization. The competing pressures illustrate the complex balancing act facing regulators and policymakers.

The Texas investigation also follows years of litigation against Bayer over Roundup's health effects. The company has paid billions to settle cancer claims while maintaining that glyphosate is safe when used as directed. Paxton's probe represents a new front in the legal battle—one focused not on occupational exposure but on consumer food safety.

What Comes Next

Companies receiving Civil Investigative Demands must respond to document requests and make executives available for questioning under oath. The Attorney General's office has not specified a timeline for the investigation's completion or indicated whether civil penalties or litigation might follow.

For Texas consumers, the investigation promises greater transparency about glyphosate in the food supply—regardless of the outcome. For the pest control industry, it serves as a reminder that chemical stewardship and regulatory compliance remain under intense public and governmental scrutiny.

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TexasBugSlayers.com will continue monitoring this investigation and its implications for pest control professionals and agricultural operators across the state.