FAQs
Grown without glyphosate” means our wheat is cultivated without using glyphosate-based herbicides at any stage before planting, during growth, or before harvest. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in products like Roundup, widely used in conventional agriculture to kill weeds and to “desiccate” (dry) crops before harvest. At Sunrise Flour Mill, we partner with farmers who follow organic or regenerative methods, ensuring no glyphosate touches the grain you eat. This approach results in cleaner, chemical-free flour that supports both your health and the planet.
In conventional farming, glyphosate is often sprayed just before harvest to speed up drying and control late-season weeds. This practice helps with yield and harvesting efficiency but traces of glyphosate can remain on the finished grain.
Emerging studies and global regulatory bodies have raised concerns about:
- Residue in food: Glyphosate residues have been detected in many conventional wheat-based products.
- Microbiome disruption: Some research suggests glyphosate may affect gut bacteria balance.
- Environmental persistence: Glyphosate can remain in soil and water, affecting biodiversity and pollinator health. Avoiding glyphosate doesn’t just mean cleaner food, it’s also a vote for soil and ecosystem health.
While glyphosate itself isn’t gluten, some people who report “gluten intolerance” might actually be reacting to chemical residues or modern farming additives present in conventionally grown wheat.
Here’s why this distinction matters:
- Glyphosate can alter the gut microbiome, making digestion and nutrient absorption harder for sensitive individuals.
- It may indirectly contribute to intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) in animal studies, which some researchers believe could exacerbate gluten sensitivity symptoms.
Many who switch to organic or glyphosate-free wheat report less bloating, brain fog, or fatigue. Not because the gluten disappeared, but because the wheat was grown and processed more naturally. So while glyphosate isn’t the only factor, avoiding it can reduce chemical load and support a healthier gut which is key for anyone managing gluten or digestive sensitivities.
Not always but it’s often close. All Sunrise Flour Mill heritage grains are grown using organic principles (no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers), though “glyphosate-free” specifically focuses on the absence of this one chemical. Some farms may meet or exceed organic standards even without certification; others are fully certified organic.
Our goal is transparency: every Sunrise product labeled “grown without glyphosate” has been vetted to ensure the grain was never exposed to it, regardless of certification status.
The debate is ongoing but caution makes sense.
Regulators differ: the EPA classifies glyphosate as “not likely carcinogenic,” while the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies it as a “probable human carcinogen.”
Beyond cancer concerns, glyphosate has been studied for possible links to:
- Hormonal disruption
- Gut microbiome imbalance
Oxidative stress and inflammation While the science continues to evolve, our stance is simple: you deserve flour made from clean, wholesome grain — grown without controversial chemicals.
Yes and in the best way.
Flour grown without glyphosate often retains a cleaner, more natural wheat flavor because the plants matured naturally, without chemical desiccation.
In baking, many customers notice:
- A more aromatic, nutty flavor
- A deeper, golden color in the crumb
- Better fermentation and rise in sourdoughs (since beneficial bacteria aren’t inhibited by residue)
Easier digestibility for some people sensitive to conventional flour You’ll notice the difference most in freshly baked bread, pancakes, and pizza dough where pure wheat flavor shines.
We source from trusted farmers who use regenerative or organic practices and provide transparency about their growing methods. In addition:
- We conduct supplier audits and documentation verifying no glyphosate or herbicide use.
- We perform periodic third-party lab testing for glyphosate residue to ensure compliance.
We mill in small batches to minimize cross-contamination and preserve traceability. Our “grown without glyphosate” label isn’t a vague claim, it’s a verified commitment to clean farming and honest milling.
Absolutely. Glyphosate use has been shown to:
- Reduce soil microbial diversity, which is essential for long-term fertility
- Disrupt mycorrhizal fungi that help plants absorb nutrients
- Contaminate surface and groundwater
Harm beneficial insects and pollinators indirectly By choosing glyphosate-free flour, you’re supporting a farming model that builds soil health, conserves biodiversity, and promotes sustainable food systems one loaf at a time.
Yes. All Sunrise Flour Mill flours are non-GMO and heritage varieties meaning they’re naturally bred, never genetically modified. Our grains have the same genetic structure they did generations ago. Combined with the absence of glyphosate, that gives you one of the purest flours available today.
Not quite, but it’s a major step. “Glyphosate-free” means no glyphosate or glyphosate-based herbicides were used. “Chemical-free” implies no synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or processing aids at all. At Sunrise Flour Mill, we strive for both: we avoid glyphosate and broader synthetic inputs. Our goal is to make flour as clean and natural as possible the way it was before industrial agriculture took over.
Try this simple experiment:
- Bake your favorite recipe (bread, pancakes, muffins) using your current flour.
- Bake the same recipe again using Sunrise’s “grown without glyphosate” flour.
Notice differences in taste, texture, and most importantly how you feel after eating it.
Many of our customers report less bloating, fewer digestive issues, and a noticeable “cleaner” feeling when eating our heritage flours. Your experience may vary, but it’s worth trying for a few weeks to see how your body responds.
Because food should nourish, not harm.
We believe every loaf, cookie, and pizza crust starts with the integrity of the soil it comes from. Avoiding glyphosate aligns with our mission to:
- Protect the environment and support regenerative farming
- Produce flour that’s wholesome and transparent
Honor heritage grains that evolved naturally before industrial chemicals were part of farming When you bake with Sunrise, you’re not just making food you’re supporting a movement toward cleaner, more responsible agriculture.