Scout & Cellar Wine & Coffee Independently Tested for Glyphosate, 500+ Pesticides & Mold

Are you looking for wine and coffee that is clean and free from glyphosate residue, other pesticides, mold, & mycotoxins? For many years, community members have been asking us to test the brand Scout & Cellar. This brand sells several types of wine & coffee that is marketed as “clean crafted,” meaning it’s been produced via sustainable methods and tested for contaminants. So Mamavation sent several wine & coffee products from Scout & Cellar off to our independent EPA-certified lab to put their “clean crafted” claim to the test. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest collagens, safest salts without heavy metals, & and safest coffee filters sans PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for the results of Scout & Cellar’s wine & coffee.

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links. After independently testing products by Scout & Cellar, we decided to recoup our testing by adding affiliate links to the site. Mamavation will receive a commission of any sales that come from links on this post and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing and fund more consumer studies of products in the future. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  

Wine & Coffee Can Be Problematic — Mamavation Put Scout & Cellar to the Test

Mamavation community members have been asking us to independently verify claims made by Scout & Cellar for years. So we finally decided to send their wine and coffee to our EPA-certified laboratory to put those claims to the test.

All of the labs came back non-detect, meaning our lab couldn’t find any trace amounts of glyphosate, 500+ pesticides, mold, or mycotoxins inside their wine and coffee. 

Wine and Glyphosate

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in RoundUp Weed Killer and the most popular herbicide in the world and has been found in wines sold in the United States. Glyphosate was originally patented as a chelator and an antibiotic, which means it has the ability to stop nutrient absorption and decimate delicate gut flora. These two simple facts explain why glyphosate is so damaging to the overall health of the body and has been linked to spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Glyphosate has also been deemed a “probable carcinogen” by the World Health Organization and added to the Prop. 65 List of carcinogens and reproductive toxins in California.

A consumer study by the CALPIRG Education Fund found glyphosate in conventional beer and wine, including organic brands. Here are some of the main points found in the study:

• 19 out of 20 samples of beer & wine contained detectable glyphosate residue
• Sutter Home Wine had the highest levels of glyphosate, 51 parts per billion (ppb)
• 3 out of 4 organic beers and wines contained detectable glyphosate residue, however most were below 10 ppb, which is the lowest detection limit that most commercial labs are able to reach.

Are organic wine & beers purposely using glyphosate to their crops? No. This is likely an issue of glyphosate drifting from other farms.

Coffee Contaminants — Pesticides & Mycotoxins

Pesticides

Pesticides are used in coffee production, recent studies have found the vast majority of pesticides to fall under these categories: organophosphates (OP), pyrethroids, and carbamates. For a more complete list of what is used in coffee production, here are some of the trace amounts of pesticides you may find in your coffee. To have the safest coffee, you’ll want to avoid the pesticides on this list. (Note: Mamavation included all these pesticides in our testing, including hundreds more.)

1. Parathion Methyl: Used to fight leaf miner infestations, this toxic chemical is highly toxic to humans, mammals, birds, and fish. It’s an extremely hazardous insecticide that has been banned in India since 2016, banned in Indonesia, & banned in the European Union.
2. Endosulfan: Used to fight against the coffee cherry borer, this dangerous pesticide doesn’t dissolve easily in the soil and is toxic to most animals. It affects the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, reproductive organs, and even death.
3. Chlorpyrifos: This pesticide class has been banned in the United States for household use because of birth defects.
4. Triadimefon: This copper-based fungicide is used against coffee rust. It’s suspected reproductive problems can arise with chronic exposure. Studies have also linked it to hyperactivity in rats. In Kenya and Costa Rica, this copper-based fungicide has accumulated in the soils and become a problem.
5. Abamectin: This moderately hazardous insecticide is legal everywhere.
6. Aldicarb: This extremely hazardous insecticide has been banned everywhere but Brazil. So you’ll find this chemical on some Brazillian coffee beans that are not organic.
7. Cirpoconazole / cyproconazole: This is a slightly hazardous fungicide that is restricted for household use in the US. Cyproconazole is a reproductive toxicant in EPA’s 2011 predictive model of reproductive toxicity. Cyproconazole demonstrated it can induce liver swelling in mice according to studies.
8. Cypermethrin / ZetaCypermethrin: This moderately hazardous insecticide is banned in India. Cypermethrin is used to control parasites that infest cattle and ticks on docs. 
9. Dichlorvos / DDVP: This moderately hazardous organophosphate insecticide is banned in several countries. A study found a link to increased odds of ADHD in children. Banned in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and restricted in US. 
10. Haloxyfop: This moderately hazardous herbicide is restricted in the European Union.
11. Imidacloprid: This moderately hazardous insecticide may see a ban from Canada soon. The primary effects of longer-term, low dose exposure to imidacloprid are on the liver, thyroid, and body weight.
12. Permethrin: This moderately hazardous insecticide is banned in the European Union and restricted in the United States. It’s used to treat scabies and lice and can be applied to the skin as a lotion. As an insecticide, it’s sprayed on clothing and crops.
13. Phorate: This extremely hazardous insecticide is banned in the European Union and India. Phorate is very easily absorbed and its toxicity is high.
14. Propiconazole: This moderately hazardous fungicide is banned in the European Union.
15. Terbufos: This extremely hazardous organophosphate insecticide is banned in the European Union and restricted in the United States. Organophosphate poisoning is not common in the United States, but cases of terbufos poisoning occur in the developing world. This insecticide is widespread and very dangerous for farmers.

Mycotoxins

Another problem you’ll find with coffee is mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain molds and fungi according to the World Health Organization (WHO). You are exposed to them in your environment and food. When it comes to food, they grow in coffee beans, grains and cereals, dried fruits, nuts, spices, cocoa beans, and apples. Molds produce mycotoxins when they grow and spread and these mycotoxins in high amounts are dangerous to both animals and humans.

Several studies have found mycotoxins inside roasted and green coffee beans in low concentrations. You’ll also find mycotoxins in some animal products, including eggs and dairy products (if the animals ate contaminated feed). Here’s the mycotoxins mostly found in coffee:

• Aflatoxin B1: this Mycotoxin is a known carcinogen and studies have shown that in large doses it can have harmful effects. Aspergillus mold produces Aflatoxin. Aspergillus molds grow mostly on crops, such as grains and nuts. Aflatoxin is the most common mycotoxin on earth.
• Ochratoxin A: is a Mycotoxin that’s commonly found in coffee as well as cereals, bread, fruits, spices, and even beer. This type of Mycotoxin can also be transmitted to eggs and meat via contaminated feed. Penicillium and Aspergillus produce Ochratoxin.

Raw Data from Mamavation’s EPA Certified Lab — Results

Wine Testing Results

Mamavation sent two samples of Scout & Cellar wine from their sampler pack to our independent EPA-certified lab. The lab tested glyphosate, glufosinate, and AMPA at the detection limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb) and reported back to us the following:

• Scout & Cellar Middle Jane Zinfandel Glyphosate Test — Non-detect
• Scout & Cellar Conte de la Terre Pinot Gris Glyphosate Test — Non-detect

Glyphosate Test Details

Mamavation sent two samples of wine to our EPA Certified lab: one zinfandel (Middle Jane) and one pinot gris (Conte de la Terre), which was one white and one red. The lab tested for glyphosate, glufosinate, and AMPA using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry detector (LC-MS/MS) at 10 parts per billion (ppb) detection limit. This is the standard test going as low as possible in a commercial lab. (University labs may be able to go lower.)

Coffee Testing Results

Mamavation sent Scout & Cellar coffee samples to two different EPA-certified labs looking for 500+ pesticides and mycotoxins, mold, & yeast. This was more complicated testing so we are going to break this down for you a bit more. First of all, here were the results.

• Scout & Cellar Scouting Grounds 500+ Pesticide Test — Non-detect
• Scout & Cellar Scouting Grounds Mycotoxins, Mold, & Yeast Test — Non-detect

500+ Pesticide Test of Coffee Testing Details

Coffee samples were analyzed using two different methods which totaled testing for 587 pesticides. The first group analyzed coffee using the GC-MS/MS technique for 227 pesticides and included the following:

• 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
• 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
• 2-phenylphenol (SP)
• 8-hydroxyquinoline (SP)
• Acetochlor
• Acrinathrin
• Alachlor
• Aldrin
• Alpha Endosulfan
• Alpha-HCH
• Ametryn
• Anthraquinone
• Atrazine
• Beflubutamid
• Benalaxyl
• Benfluralin
• Beta Endosulfan
• Beta-HCH
• Bifenazate-Bifenazate Diazene
• Bifenox
• Bifenthrin
• Biphenyl
• Bitertanol
• Bromophos-ethyl
• Bromophos-methyl
• Bromopropylate
• Bupirimate
• Captan
• Captan (Sum)
• Carbophenothion
• Chinomethionat
• Chlordane (Sum)
• Chlorfenapyr
• Chlorfenson
• Chlorfenvinphos
• Chlormephos
• Chlorobenzilate+Chloro propylate
• Chlorothalonil
• Chlorotoluron
• Chlorpropham
• Chlorpyrifos
• Chlorpyrifos-methyl
• Chlorthal-dimethyl
• Chlorthion
• Cinidon-ethyl
• Cis-Chlordane
• Cyfluthrin
• Cyproconazole
• Cyprodinil
• DDD-pp+DDT-0p
• DDT (Sum)
• DEET
• delta-HCH
• Deltamethrin
• Desethyl atrazine
• Diafenthiuron
• Diazinon
• Dichlobenil
• Dichlofenthion
• Diclobutrazol
• Dicloran
• Dicofol (Sum)
• Dicofol 0,p
• Dicofol p,p
• Dicrotophos
• Dieldrin
• Dieldrin (Sum)
• Dicofol o,p
• Dicofol p,p
• Dicrotophos
• Dieldrin
• Dieldrin (Sum)
• Difenoconazole
• Diflufenican
• Dimefox
• Dimoxystrobin
• Diniconazole
•  Dinobuton
• Diphenylamine
• Disulfoton (SP)
• Disulfoton (Sum)
• Disulfoton Sulfone
• Disulfoton Sulfoxide
• Ditalimfos
• Endosulfan (Sum)
• Endosulfan-Sulphate
• Endrin
• EPN
• Epsilon-HCH
• EPTC
• Ethalfuralin
• Ethion
• Ethofumesate (SP)
• Ethoprophos
• Etridiazole
• Etrimfos
• Fenarimol
• Fenazaquin
• Fenchlorphos (SP)
• Fenchlorphos (Sum)
• Fenchlorphos Oxon
• Fenitrothion
• Fenpropathrin
• Fenson
• Fenthion (SP)
• Fenthion Oxon
• Fenvalerate
• Flucythrinate
• Flumetralin
• Fluopicolide
• Fluopyram
• Fluotrimazole
• Flutamone
• Fluvalinate
• Folpet
• Folpet (Sum)
• Fonofos
• Furalaxyl
• Heptachlor (SP)
• Heptachlor (Sum)
• Heptachlor Epoxide A
• Heptachlor Epoxide B
• Heptenophos
• Hexachlorobenzene
• Hexaclorobutadiene
• Hexacanazole
• Iodofenphos
• Iprobenfos
• Iprodione
• Iprovalicarb
• Isazofos
• Isofenphos
• Isophenfos-methyl
• Kresoxim-methyl
• Lambda-Cyhalothrin
• Lindane
• Malaoxon
• Malathion (SP)
• Mefenpyr Diethyl
• Mepronil
• Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam)
• Methacrifos
• Methidathion
• Methacrifos
• Methidathion
• Methoxychlor
• Metribuzin
• Mevinphos
• Mirex
• Molinate
• Myclobutanil
• Naled
• Naled (Sum)
• Napropamide
• Nitrofen
• Nitrothal Isopropyl
• Nuarimol
• o,p-DDD
• o,p-DDE
• Ofurace
• Oxadixyl
• Oxychlordan
• Oxyfluorfen
• p,p-DDT
• p,p-DDE
• Paraoxon Methyl
• Paraoxon-ethyl
• Parathion Methyl (SP)
• Parathion Methyl (Sum)
• Parathion-ethyl
• Parathion-ethyl (Sum)
• Penconazole
• Pendimethalin
• Pentachloroaniline
• Pentachloroanisole
• Pentachlorobenzene
• Pentachlorobenzonitrile
• Pentachlorophenol
• Permethrin
• Phenthoate
• Phorate
• Phosalone
• Phthalimide
• Piperonyl butoxide
• Pirimiphos-ethyl
• Pirimiphos-methyl
• Procymidone
• Profenofos
• Profluralin
• Prometryn
• Propazine
• Propetamphos
• Propyzamide
• Prothiofos
• Pyrazophos
• Pyridaben
• Pyridaphenthion
• Pyrifenox
• Pyrimethanil
• Pyriproxyfen
• Quinalphos
• Quintozene
• Quintozene (Sum)
• Silthiofam
• Simazine
• Tebuconazole
• Tebufenpyrad
• Tecnazene
• Tefluthrin
• Terbacil
• Terbumeton
• Terbuthylazine
• Terbuthylazine Desethyl
• Terbutryn
• Tetrachlorvinphos
• Tetracanazole
• Tetradifon
• Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI)
• Tetramethrin
• Tetrasul
• Thiometon
• Tolclofos-methyl
• Trans-Chlordane
• Transfluthrin
• Triadimefon
• Triadimenol
• Tri-allate
• Triamiphos
• Trifluralin
• Uniconazole
• Vinclozolin
• Zeta-cypermethrin

The second group analyzed coffee using the LC-MS/MS technique for 360 pesticides and included the following:

• 3-OH carbofuran (SQ)
• Abamectin
• Acephate
• Acequinocyl
• Acetamiprid
• Acibenzolar-S-methyl (SP)
• Alcarb (SP)
• Aldicarb (Sum)
• Aldicarb Sulfone
• Aldicarb Sulfoxide
• Ametroctradin
• Aminocarb
• Amitraz (SP)
• Atrizine Desisopropyl
• Azaconazole
• Azadirachtin
• Azamethiphos
• Azimsulfuron
• Azinphos-ethyl
• Azinphos-methyl
• Azocyclotin and Cyhexatin (SQ)
• Azoxystrobin
• Ben-Carb-TPN (Sum)
• Bendiocarb
• Bentazone (SP)
• Bentazones-methyl
• Benthiavalicarb
• Bioallethrin
• Bixafen
• Boscalid
• Bromacil
• Bromoxynil (SP)
• Bromuconazole
• BTS 44595
• BTS 44596
• Buprofezin
• Butachlor
• Butocarboxim
• Butoxicarboxim Sulfoxide
• Butralin
• Buturon
• Cadusafos
• Carbaryl
• Carbendazim and Benomyl
• Carbetamide
• Carboxin (SP)
• Carfentazone-ethyl (SP)
• Chloratraniliprole
• chlorbromuron
• Chlorfluazuron
• Chloridazon
• Chloroxuron
• Chlorsulfuron
• Chlorthiophos
• Clethodim (SP)
• Clethodim Sulfoxide
• Clofentezine
• Clomazone
• Clopyralid
• Clothianidin
• Coumaphos
• Crimidine
• Cyanazine
• Cyantraniliprole
• Cyazofamid
• Cyclanilide
• Cycloate
• Cycloxydim (SP)
• Cyenopyrafen
• Cyflufenamid
• Cyflumetofen
• Cyhalofop-butyl
• Cymoxanil
• Cyromazine
• Demeton S
• Demeton-S-methyl
• Demeton-S-Methylsulfone
• Demeton-S-sulfoxide
• Desmedipham
• Desmetryn
• Dialifos
• Dichiofluanid
• Dichlormid
• Dichloroprop
• Dichlorvos
• Diclofop (SP/SQ)
• Diclofop (Sum)
• Diclofo-methyl (SP/SQ)
• Diethofencarb
• Diflubenzuron
• Dimefuron
• Dimethachlor
• Dimethenamid-P
• Dimethoate
• Dimethoate (Sum)
• Dimethomorph
• Dimethylaminosulfotoluidide (DMST)
• Dinotefuran
• Diuron
• DNOC
• Dodemorph
• Dodine
• Edifenphos
• Emamectin B1a
• Epoxiconazole
• Ethaboxam
• Ethiofencarb
• Ethiofencarb sulfone
• Ethiofencarb sulfoxide
• Ethiprole
• Ethirimol
• Ethoxyquin (SQ)
• Etofenprox
• Etoxazole
• Famoxadone
• Fenamidone
• Fenamiphos (SP)
• Fenamiphos (Sum)
• Fenamiphos Sulphone
• Fenamiphos Sulphoxide
• Febnuconazole
• Fenbutatin oxide
• Fenhexamid
• Fenobucarb
• Fenoxycarb
• Fenpiclonil
• Fenpropidin (SP)
• Fenpropimorph
• Fenpyrazamine
• Fenpyroximate
• Fensulfothion
• Fensulfothion Oxon
• Fensulfothion Oxon Sulfone
• Fensulfothion Sulfone
• Fenthion (Sum)
• Fenthion Oxon Sulfone
• Fenthion Oxon Sulfoxide
• Fentin (SP/SQ)
• Fenuron
• Fipronil (SP)
• Fipronil (Sum)
• Fipronil Sulfide
• Fipronil Sulfone
• Flamprop
• Flazasulfuron
• Flonicamid (SP)
• Flonicamid (Sum)
• Florasulam
• Fluazifop-methyl (SP)
• Fluazifop-P (SP)
• Fluazifop-P-butyl (SP)
• Fluazinam
• Flubendiamide
• Fludioxonil
• Flufenacet
• Flufenacet (Sum)
• Flufenacet ESA
• Flufenacet OA
• Flufenoxuron
• Flumioxazin
• Fluometuron
• Fluoxastrobin
• Flupyradifurone
• Fluquinconazole
• Fluoxypyr (SP)
• Fluroxypyr-meptyl
• Fluroxypyr-meptyl
• Flusilazole
• Flutolanil
• Flutriafol
• Fluxapyroxad
• Foramsulfuron
• Forchlorfenuron
• Formetanate (SP)
• Formothion
• Fosthiazate
• Fuberidazole
• Halosulfuron methyl
• Haloxyfop (Sum)
• Haloxyfop-2-ethoxyethyl
• Haloxyfop-methyl (SP)
• Haloxyfop-R (SP)
• Hexaflumuron
• Hexazinone
• Hexythiazox
• Imazalil
• Imazapic
• Imazappic
• Imazapyr
• Imidacloprid
• Indaziflam
• Indoxacarb
• Iodosulfuron-methyl (SP)
• Ioxynil (SP)
• Isocarbophos
• Isoprocarb
• Isoprothiolane
• Isoproturon
• Isopyrazam
• Isoxaben
• Isoxathion
• Ivermectin
• Lenacil
• Linuron
• Lufenuron
• Mandipropamid
• Matrine
• MCPA (SP)
• Mecarbam
• Mepanipyrim
• Meptyldinocap
• Mesosulfuron-methyl
• Mesotrione
• Metaflumizone
• Metamitron
• Metazachlor (SP)
• Methiocarb (Sum)
• Methoprotyne
• Methoxyfenozide
• Metobromuron
• Metolachlor and S-Metolachlor
• Metolcarb
• Metoxuron
• Metrafenone
• Metsulfuron-methyl
• Milbemectin SQ (Sum)
• Milbemycin A3 (SQ)
• Milbemycin A4 (SQ)
• Monocrotophos
• Monolinuron
• monuron
• Neburon
• Nicosulfuron
• Nitenpyram
• Norflurazon
• Novaluron
• Omethoate
• Oxadiargyl
• Oxydiazon
• Oxamyl
• Oxasulfuron
• Oxathiapiprolin
• Oxycarboxin
• Paclobutrazol
• Pencycuron
• Penthiopyrad
• Phenmedipham
• Phorate (Sum)
• Phorate Oxon
• Phorate Oxon Sulfone
• Phorate Oxon Sulfoxide
• Phorate Sulfone
• Phorate Sulfoxide
• Phosmet (SP)
• Phosmet (Sum)
• Phosmet oxon
• Phosphamidon
• Phoxim
• Picolinafen
• Picoxystrobin
• Pinoxaden
• Pirimicarb
• Pirimicarb Desmethyl
• Pirimicarb Desmethyl Formamide
• Prochloraz (SP)
• Prochloraz (Sum)
• Promecarb
• Propachlor
• Propamocarb (SP)
• Propanil
• Propaquizafob
• Propargite
• Propham
• Propiconazole
• Propoxur
• Proquinazid
• Prosulfocarb
• Prosulfuron
• Prothiocaonazole
• Pydiflumetofen
• Pymetrozine
• Pyracarbolid
• Pyraclostrobin
• Pyraflufen
• Pydiflumetofen
• Pymetrozine
• Pyracarbolid
• Pyraclostrobin
• Pyraflufen
• Pyraflufen-ethyl (SP)
• Pyraflufen-ethyl (Sum)
• Pyridalyl
• Pyridate (SP)
• Quinclorac
• Quinoxyfen
• Quizalofop-ethyl (SP)
• Rimsulfuron
• Rotenone
• Saflufenacil (SP)
• Sebuthylazine
• Sethoxydim
• Spinetoram
• Spinosad
• Spirodiclofen
• Spiromesifen
• Spirotetramat (SP)
• Spirotetramat (Sum)
• Spirotetramatenol-glucoside
• Spirotetramat-enol
• Spirotetramat-ketohydroxy
• Spirotetramat-monohydroxy
• Spiroxamine
• Sulcotrione
• Sulfosulfuron
• Sulfotep
• Sulfoxaflor
• Tebufenozide
• Teflubenzuron
• Tepraloxydim (SP)
• Terbufos
• Terbufos (Sum)
• Terbufos Sulfone
• Terbufos Sulfoxide
• TFNA
• TFNG
• Thiabendazole
• Thiacloprid
• Thiamethoxam
• Thiamethoxam (Sum)
• Thidiazuron
• Thifensulfuron-methyl
• Thiobencarb
• Thiocyclam
• Thiodicarb
• Thiofanox
• Thiofanox Sulfone
• Thiofanox Sulfoxide
• Thiophanate-methyl
• Tolfenpyrad
• Tolylfluanid (SP)
• Tolyfluanid (Sum)
• Triasulfuron
• Triazophos
• Triazoxide
• Trichlorfon
• Tricresyl phosphate
• Tricyclazole
• Tridemorph
• Trifloxystrobin
• Triflumizole (SP)
• Triflumizole (Sum)
• Triflumizole FM-6-1
• Triflumuron
• Triforine (SQ)
• Triticonazole
• Vamidothion
• Zoxamide

Mycotoxin & Mold Testing of Coffee Details

The mycotoxins analyzed were via LC-MS-MS using the SOP: PESTMYCO-LC-PREP-001 method. The mold results were analyzed used the Rapid Yeast and Mold (RYM) method. The detection limit for the quantitative analysis was 1 Colony Forming Unit per milliliter (CFU/mL) or 1 CFU/gram (g). In this case, both yeast and mold registered counts of 0 CFU/mL or 0 CFU/g, indicating no presence of these microbes in the sample.

Here are the results to the tests the lab performed:

• Aflatoxin B1: Not Detected (ND)
• Aflatoxin B2: Not Detected (ND)
• Aflatoxin G1: Not Detected (ND)
• Aflatoxin G2: Not Detected (ND)
• Ochratoxin A: Not Detected (ND)
• Total Aflatoxins: Not Detected (ND)
• Yeast: Not Detected (ND)
• Mold: Not Detected (ND)

More About Scout & Cellar “Clean Crafted” Wine & Coffee

The purpose of this study was to verify the marketing from Scout & Cellar. We don’t just trust brands at Mamavation. We like to put them to the test and share those results. These are the exact products we tested. (Please note: we did not test ALL wine available. We selected samples instead.)

• Scout & Cellar Middle Jane Zinfandel
• Scout & Cellar Conte de la Terre Pinot Gris
• Scout & Cellar Scouting Grounds Coffee

What about the Sulfites in Scout & Cellar Wines?

About 1 in 100 people are sensitive to sulfites (sulfur dioxide), so this is why it’s added so prevalently to conventional wine — most people do not have trouble with it. However, people who are sensitive typically react to sulfites when they are over 100 parts per million (ppm) inside a bottle. If you have a true allergy to sulfites, you’ll need to avoid lots of different types of foods and wine will be the least of your worries. (We will cover that below.)

Scout & Cellar does add a small amount of sulfites to their wine, but there is a big difference between this wine and other conventional wines. Scout & Cellar does not allow more than 100 ppm inside each bottle (which is the same standard as most biodynamic wines), and most Scout & Cellar wines average 75 ppm. Most conventional American wines are at about or up to 350 ppm sulfites, while European wines are at about 210 ppm sulfites, which is the EU standard. What about organic wines? This is where things get fuzzy. Different sources say different things, so we will give you the range including what is allowable in the European Union. Most organic wines are between 10-100 ppm, which is the amount you will find naturally present in the grapes when processed. However, you’ll find differences in USDA organic wines and organic wines from the European Union. And finally, what about brands that say “made with organic grapes?” Those wines can have up to 100-150 ppm of sulfites. Bottomline, all wine has sulfites, but it’s a range based on what type of wine you select.

Here are those comparisons again including US & EU amounts:

• Conventional wines — 350 ppm sulfites
• European wines — 210 ppm sulfites
• “Made with Organic grapes” wines — up to 100 to 150 ppm sulfites
• Biodynamic wines — 100 ppm sulfites
• Scout & Cellar wines — average of 75 ppm sulfites, but no more than 100 ppm sulfites
• Organic wines — between 10 and 100 ppm sulfites (depending on where it’s processed, what country certifies it organic, and what is naturally present in grapes)

According to our interview with Scout & Cellar, when you add more than 100 ppm of sulfites to a wine, it gets into a realm of blocking the natural flavors of the wine. Wineries may use this additive to mask bad fruit sourcing and this may cause people who are sensitive to sulfites to react. However, most people with a sensitivity to sulfites (not a true allergy) react to wine with over 100 ppm of sulfites but not below that point. Why does Scout & Cellar add any sulfites to the wine? For the same reason that biodynamic wines add sulfites — they act as a preservative and natural stabilizer to allow a wine to stay chemically balanced and not cause all sorts of chaos in the bottle as it’s sitting on the shelves. It also allows easy transportation of the wine when moving it from tank to filtration, bottling etc and keeps the wine secure from outside oxidation and other potential damaging factors.

As a comparison, here are some other foods with sulfites that should be avoided if you have an allergy: (this is not a complete list)

• bottled lemon or lime juice — 100 ppm
• dried fruits like apricots — 100 ppm
• grape juices — 100 ppm
• molasses — 100 ppm
• pickled cocktail onions — 100 ppm
• sauerkraut — 100 ppm
• dried potatoes — 50-100 ppm
• gravies/sauces — 50-100 ppm
• wine vinegar — 50-100 ppm
• guacamole — 10-50 ppm
• apple cider vinegar — 10-50 ppm
• mushrooms — 10-50 ppm
• maple syrup — 10-50 ppm
• shrimp — 10-50 ppm

If you still find yourself wanting less sulfites in your wine, there are plenty of “wine purifiers” available on the market now that will remove sulfites and histamines for you. Here are some examples.

• PureWine Wand
• Ullo Wine Wine Purifier
• Wine Balanced Filters (made in Norway)

Scout & Cellar Standards

What else sets Scout & Cellar apart from other conventional wines? Quite a bit.

• Nothing artificial is used when growing the grapes. In other words, they don’t typically use pesticides, but if they do it’s something like cinnamon or diatomaceous earth. This is similar to how organic and biodynamic wine is raised. (In USDA organic farming, you can use pesticides as a last resort, but you are very limited as to what you can use and cinnamon and diatomaceous earth would be examples of the approved pesticides used. Here’s more details about how USDA organic farming uses pesticides as a last resort.)
• Wine is produced without artificial processing aids or added sugar. Conventional wineries add many types of artificial ingredients to the wine that you can read more about here.
• Each bottle is 3rd party tested to ensure there are no pesticides present. Mamavation was able to verify that claim via our own testing.
• Each bottle is 3rd party tested to ensure there are no more than 100 ppm of sulfites. However, they average 75 ppb of sulfites as discussed above.
• In-house testing is done on each bottle to ensure that it tastes great.
• They audit like crazy. They conduct an internal audit of all processing aides and ingredients included within each wine to ensure the grapes are grown, produced, and processed in accordance with their “clean crafted” standard.

To pay ourselves back for the testing, Mamavation has signed up with Scout & Cellar’s team and you can purchase their wine here. Please also note that any purchases you make of wine from our official Scout & Cellar affiliate link will also go towards funding other consumer studies at Mamavation like the ones we have done here.