In what should serve as a wake-up call and roadmap for the entire U.S. food industry, Banza has achieved a verified 543-fold reduction in glyphosate residues in its chickpea pasta line — dropping from an average of 2,836 parts per billion (ppb) to non-detectable in approximately one year, while also receiving The Detox Project’s CleanScan certification.
The results come from independent testing of 18 retail-purchased samples, conducted in partnership with Moms Across America and analyzed by two laboratories: Health Research Institute Laboratories and Genista Biosciences laboratory.
“Banza has demonstrated in the clearest possible terms that significant reductions in pesticide residues are not theoretical — they are achievable in practice, on a commercial scale, in about a year, at no extra cost to families, and without any compromise on taste or quality. Banza’s example shows that brands that lead with accountability and action can strengthen consumer trust while improving public health outcomes,” said Zen Honeycutt of Moms Across America.
This is far more than a single-brand success story. It is concrete proof that food companies across categories — pasta, grains, legumes, snacks, cereals, hummus, and more — can rapidly clean up their supply chains, respond to consumer concerns with measurable results, and do so without raising prices or sacrificing the taste and texture people expect.
How Banza Did It in Just One Year
Rather than dismiss the original 2024 testing, Banza took immediate action and implemented systemic changes:
- Shifted sourcing to chickpeas grown in naturally dry climates, where the crop can mature and dry in the field without chemical intervention or desiccants.
- Formalized a contractual desiccant-free commitment with all farming partners, explicitly prohibiting the use of glyphosate and other chemical desiccants at harvest — the single highest-risk point for introducing residues into legumes and grains.
- Earned The Detox Project’s CleanScan Certification, which requires independent, ISO-accredited laboratory testing showing non-detectable levels of glyphosate and more than 400 pesticides on the finished product. Consumers can scan a QR code on Banza packaging to access ongoing, transparent test results.
- Partnered with Moms Across America for additional verification testing on real-world retail samples to confirm the improvements.
These steps were completed and independently verified in roughly 12 months.
No Price Increase. Same Great Taste.
Critically, Banza delivered these dramatic improvements while keeping retail prices stable and competitive. Consumers have not seen any increase tied to the cleaner sourcing. The pasta continues to deliver the high-protein, high-fiber, gluten-free experience, along with delicious taste and texture that have made it a favorite in households nationwide. Many consumers report even greater confidence and satisfaction knowing the rigorous standards are now in place.
A Model and a Challenge for the Food Industry
“This is a blueprint the entire food industry must follow. Every manufacturer of chickpea products, wheat-based pasta, oats, cereals, and grain snacks has the same tools available to them: better regional sourcing, strict no-desiccant contracts, third-party certifications like CleanScan, and radical transparency. There is no longer any excuse for inaction. We strongly encourage all food companies to adopt these practices immediately for the health of American families and children.
The trace levels still found in some samples are consistent with unavoidable low-level environmental contamination (via rain, air, and irrigation) that affects even organic fields. The key achievement is eliminating intentional glyphosate use through better practices — proving that “cleaner” food at scale is realistic and replicable.
Moms Across America and Banza urged retailers, distributors, and other brands to prioritize and promote products with independent CleanScan or equivalent certifications. Consumers are encouraged to scan QR codes, ask brands for verification data, and reward companies that take these steps.
“It is rare to see such a good news story when it comes to contaminants in our food supply, however Banza has shown that it is possible to meet the highest standard possible through working hard on their supply chain. We are seeing more and more brands moving in this direction, which is very exciting for everyone who cares about clean food,” concluded Henry Rowlands, Director of Sustainable Pulse and The Detox Project, which runs the Glyphosate Residue Free and CleanScan certification programs.
This development arrives as consumer demand for transparency and reduced chemical exposure in everyday foods continues to grow. Banza’s example shows that brands that lead with accountability and action can strengthen consumer trust while improving public health outcomes.
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