Finding DDT in backyard chicken eggs led us to discover a secret of the organic food supply–residue from persistent legacy pesticides like DDT is not monitored by USDA organic standards. So it’s possible that animal products like eggs, butter, yogurt, milk & lunchmeat could have trace amounts of DDT from soil contamination. So we started testing organic products to see what we would find. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best & worst collagen, best & worst cookware, & best & worst air purifiers, now join us for the DDT test results of Organic Valley eggs & butter.
Click here if you would like to donate to Mamavation for more testing of your favorite foods.
Table of Contents
DDT Has Been Banned Since 1972 Because It’s Toxic to Humans & Wildlife
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an insecticide and belongs to a class of pesticides known as organochlorides. It is a synthetic chemical compound that doesn’t occur in nature and is a colorless, crystalline solid.
DDT has been banned since 1972 because of human health and environmental concerns, especially having been blamed for killing off the iconic American Bald Eagle population and thinning out their eggshells which caused the babies to die and lowered the population. Since DDT has been banned in 1972, the American Bald Eagle population has sprung back.
Today people are mostly exposed to DDT as an accidental contaminant from soil exposure or from food. Because DDT (and it’s breakdown chemicals like DDE) takes a very long time to break down in the soil, it’s found all over the United States.
DDT can build up in the fatty tissues of animals and accumulate over time. Therefore, this bioaccumulation can show up in animal products that contain high amounts of fat like butter, eggs, milk, meat, and cheese.
Finding DDT in Soil & Backyard Eggs & Led Us to Discover That Organic Isn’t Testing Soil Either
Earlier in the summer of 2020, I participated in a study with the Detox Project looking to levels of pesticide residue in American hair.
My results dumbfounded me because there was DDT found in my hair.
That led me to test the soil on my property and my backyard eggs where I discovered DDE (a breakdown product of DDT) which after some research I realized came from a walnut grove over 70 years ago.
Through our research, we discovered that USDA Organic certification does not mandate testing of the soil beforehand to ensure animals like cows are not impacted by DDT breaking down in the soil. This is why we started testing brands individually.
Results of Organic Valley Butter & Eggs for DDT
Using method gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS ) Organic Valley butter & eggs were tested in a lab certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 3rd & 15th, 2020 and the results were all non-detect, meaning if there is DDT in the butter or eggs, it’s lower than the detection level of 0.010 ppb.
Organic Valley Eggs
- Chlorpyrifos < 0.010ppb –Non-Detect
- DDD-pp+DDT-op < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
- DDE-p,p < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
- DDT (Sum) * < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
- DDT-p,p < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
Organic Valley Butter
- Chlorpyrifos < 0.010ppb –Non-Detect
- DDD-pp+DDT-op < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
- DDE-p,p < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
- DDT (Sum) * < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
- DDT-p,p < 0.010ppb — Non-Detect
Conclusion: This is good news for Organic Valley customers. No DDT was detected.
For more information on all the investigation and testing Mamavation has done go here.
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Thanks for all that you do, I just donated. I have just come back with extremely high arsenic levels. My suspicion is that it’s coming from chicken and/or eggs as well. For some reason arsenic and DDT aren’t tested for nearly as much as mercury and lead. Have you ever considered testing for arsenic too?
Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared an informative and interesting blog post with people.
That’s really informative I don’t before heard about DDT and their harmful effects and that it’s present in your backyard means it’s present in anyone’s backyard and that we even eat that harmful chemical of our own farm, it’s really very dangerous I think we should eat the organic valley products and should watch how their products are safe from that thanks for sharing your research
Glyphosate is the “new DDT” and unfortunately it’s being used by the farming industry heavily. By now t’s in our drinking water and air. There are many approaches to detox it out of the body, here is the easiest and most effective anti-dote on the market right now: Feel free to reach out for more info 310 418 9689. https://ishoppurium.com/products/biome-medic?giftcard=
Because Organic Valley consists of 2,000 family farmers, the results of one batch may not be the same as the results from another. However, it is a good sign for the area that batch came from. This would be true of any product which comes from various farms. If you can test and then consistently purchase from the same farm, that would be ideal.
Check Your water.
Thanks for all that you do, I just donated. I have just come back with extremely high arsenic levels. My suspicion is that it’s coming from chicken and/or eggs as well. For some reason arsenic and DDT aren’t tested for nearly as much as mercury and lead. Have you ever considered testing for arsenic too?
Do you eat a lot of rice or rice products?
What was the results of the soil test in your yard?
Thank you for all your hard work. Great info.