Purpose The aim of this work was to assess the transfer and effects of two widely used herbicides on the land snail Helix aspersa during long-term exposure under laboratory conditions. Materials and methods Newly hatched snails were exposed for 168 days to soil and/or food contaminated with a formulation of glyphosate (Bypass®) or glufosinate (Basta®) at the recommended field doses and also at 10-fold this dose. Results and discussion Herbicide degradation patterns showed that snails were mainly exposed during the first 28 days. The DT50 of glyphosate and glufosinate was established at 10.6 and 3.7 days, respectively. No significant effects on survival and growth were determined. Concerning genital tract maturation of the snails, exposure to herbicides tended to decrease the development of the albumen gland (inhibition of 43.5 ± 32.8%). The presence of glyphosate (6 mg kg âˆ'1 dry weight) was demonstrated in snails exposed continuously to this active ingredient at the highest concentration in their food. Conclusions These results showed a low effect of herbicides at relevant concentrations in soil but the detection of residues in tissues indicated a potential risk of transfer to the food chain. This chronic toxicity bioassay could complete the available tests to assess toxicity of contaminants, and more particularly pesticides, in soil.