As controversy continues regarding the sustainability of the state’s blueberry industry, the NSW food authority says laboratory testing confirms local berries meet food safety standards for pesticide residues.
The NSW Food Authority analysed 25 kilograms of blueberries and raspberries, made up of 100 samples of 250 grams each, purchased from a range of Sydney retail stores in November 2025.
All 100 samples were tested by an independent NATA-accredited laboratory for 218 pesticides, including the prohibited chemical thiometon, which was not detected in any of the berries.
Results from the tested samples were within the allowable limits of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code for pesticide residues in food.
The project complemented NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) inspections of northern NSW berry farms, which found farmers complied with chemical use regulations, with no evidence of banned or off-label pesticide use.
Methodology
NSW Food Authority acting CEO, Andrew Davies, said the limits for pesticide residues in food were developed by government agencies using internationally recognised methods and national scientific data.
‘The limits include large safety margins and consider the amount people can eat over a lifetime without any appreciable risk to health,’ Mr Davies said.
‘Consumers can be reassured that all 100 samples analysed by the NSW Food Authority were compliant and the berries were safe to eat.’
Mr Davies said while the tests showed produce met the requirements, washing fruit and vegetables under cool running water before eating was important.
‘Washing fruit and vegetables removes visible and invisible contaminants, including surface herbicide and pesticide residues which could remain on the skin,’ he said. ‘Excess moisture can promote bacterial growth, so it’s important to wash produce just before eating or preparing food.’
The NSW Food Authority says it continues to monitor the safety of produce by evaluating selected publicly available and industry data.
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