If you’re like us, a punnet of plump, sweet blueberries or raspberries can really make your day. Delicious, juicy, and full of antioxidants, fibre and other beneficial vitamins & minerals, berries are often seen as the ultimate “superfood.” But a recent investigation has raised some pretty big questions about what’s actually clinging to berries that we can’t see.
A Scientist Takes a Closer Look
You may have seen on ABC News recently that Professor Kirsten Benkendorff, a marine scientist from Southern Cross University, decided to do what we all secretly wish we could do: sneak a few supermarket punnets back to her lab for a proper inspection. She tested the berries for 157 different pesticides, and the results were concerning to say the least.
While many samples had pesticides at legal levels, a few had enough dimethoate—a pesticide used to combat Queensland fruit flies, which is banned in the European Union and considered a “possible human carcinogen” among other things by the US EPA—that an average 6-year-old child could reach their daily safety limit from just a handful of berries. And that’s before considering all the other pesticide-sprayed produce a child might eat that day (ABC News, 2025).
The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is the maximum amount of dimethoate considered safe to consume each day over a lifetime. While the blueberries tested were technically within Australia’s legal residue limits, some samples contained enough of the chemical that eating a single 125g punnet could see both children and adults exceed that daily safety margin.
Even at low levels, repeated exposure of dimethoate has been linked to nervous system damage, hormone disruption, and developmental issues in children. In higher doses, it can cause symptoms like nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and in extreme cases, organ damage. Because kids are smaller and still developing, they’re especially vulnerable, which is why even trace amounts matter.
What’s more alarming, a banned chemical called thiometon, illegal in Australia since 2001 because of it’s dangerous side effects such as increased salivation, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and muscle twitching, was detected in some berries. While the levels were low, it raises questions about how pesticides travel through the environment, potentially reaching produce unintentionally.
How Did This Happen?
Australia’s pesticide regulation system is… let’s call it “complicated.” Multiple agencies at both state and federal levels are responsible for approving chemicals, testing produce, and policing farms. But gaps in communication, inconsistent testing, and decades-old consumption data mean chemicals can slip through the cracks.
For example:
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Food Standards Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) last tested fresh produce for pesticides in 2019, following its usual four- to six-year testing cycle. At that time, the only berries included were strawberries, and the full results were never released to the public.
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The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) still uses consumption data that was last reviewed in 1995 to decide safe pesticide limits for berries. That’s right, until very recently, safety limits were based on 30-year-old information. Since 1995, our consumption of berries has increased by up to 900%. There is a plan to review the amount of dimethoate that is safe to use in the near future, but we ask the question… wouldn’t zero dimethoate on our berries be the best option?
It’s not that farmers are intentionally reckless. Pesticides can drift from neighbouring properties, travel through water, or persist in the environment in ways that aren’t obvious. But the result is the same: produce that looks perfect might carry more than just vitamins.
Why This Matters
So, should we panic? Not necessarily—but it does highlight the importance of being mindful about what we put in our bodies. Some things to consider:
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Stay informed: Knowledge is power. Certain fruits and vegetables are more likely to have pesticide residues—berries, in particular, often make the “Dirty Dozen” list.
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Support organic and local farms: Buying from trusted sources reduces your exposure to chemicals while supporting farmers who are prioritising sustainable, pesticide-free growing practices.
The truth is, our food system has some blind spots. Chemicals approved for use decades ago may still linger, and current testing programs don’t always cover every crop or region. This is why independent research like Professor Benkendorff’s is so important—it shines a light on gaps that regulators and industry need to address.
But surely you can just wash the pesticides off?
Unfortunately, no. Some people think a good wash under the tap is all it takes to get rid of pesticides, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Many chemicals are designed to withstand rain and weather, which means they don’t simply rinse away in your kitchen sink. On top of that, pesticides can be absorbed into the skin or flesh of fruits and veggies—berries in particular are like little sponges, but the same goes for many other types of produce. The reality is, if pesticides are used on a crop, they’re often there to stay. And while soaking your produce in bicarb soda may remove some of the chemicals, it won’t remove them all.
What Spray-Free Farmacy Does Differently
This is exactly why Spray-Free Farmacy exists. Every berry we sell from our farmers is completely spray-free and grown without chemicals or pesticides, so you can enjoy your berries and other produce without wondering what else might be clinging to them.
We care about:
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Your health: No hidden chemicals, just nutritious, fresh produce.
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The environment: Organic and regenerative growing methods protect waterways, soil, and biodiversity.
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Farmers: Supporting growers who prioritise sustainable, safe farming practices.
- Pesticide alternatives: Our farmers work in harmony with nature, not against it, to control pests. For example, they introduce ladybugs to crops to eat fruit flies, as they don’t eat the produce.
So next time you reach for a punnet of blueberries or raspberries, take a moment to consider where they came from. Choosing organic and spray-free isn’t just about taste—it’s about taking care of yourself, your family, and the world around you.
Check out our range of spray-free and organic berries here.
References:
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Clayton, R. (2025, September 7). Banned chemical found by scientist in fresh berries sold at NSW supermarkets. ABC News. Link
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Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Dimethoate fact sheet.
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National Pesticide Information Center. (2025, August 18). How can I wash pesticides from fruit and veggies? Retrieved [10 September, 2025], from https://npic.orst.edu/faq/fruitwash.html
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Symptoma Team. (n.d.). Dimethoate poisoning (Poisoning by Dimethoate): Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved [10 September, 2025] from https://www.symptoma.com/en/info/dimethoate-poisoning
- US Environmental Protection Agency. Dimethoate: Possible Human Carcinogen.
