The federal government is moving to calm public concern over a proposal to significantly increase the permitted level of a pesticide used on berry farms across Australia, as the country's farming chemicals regulator insists the change is safe — despite pushback from critics and health advocates.
Berries including blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are among the most popular snacks for Australians, particularly young children, making the proposal a matter of widespread public interest.
What Is Being Proposed and Why It Has Sparked Concern
The chemical at the centre of the debate is isocycloseram, a pesticide used on farms to eliminate bugs and caterpillars. A proposal to allow higher traces of the substance on berries has drawn sharp criticism from anti-pesticide advocates.
The change would technically permit a 500-fold increase in traces of the chemical on berries, though the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has cautioned that this figure can be misleading given the extremely minute quantities involved.
Anti-pesticide organisation Pesticide Action Australia has pointed to studies conducted on rats in which very high doses of the chemical resulted in health problems and birth defects. The group is calling for action on pesticide use more broadly.
"What we're calling for is that PFAS be taken out of the food supply," said Josh Davis from Pesticide Action Australia.
Regulator and Farmers Push Back Against Fears
The APVMA has defended the proposal, stating the permitted levels have been subjected to rigorous scientific testing and are safe for consumers. Farmers, meanwhile, have expressed concern that misinformation could trigger a public panic and cause serious damage to the berry industry.
Mike Guerin, CEO of the National Farmers Federation, backed the regulatory process, saying: "We have some of the best scientific minds in the world in the APVMA, which is an independent scientific medical authority, which considers these things."
The NFF's position reflects broader anxiety among growers that public fear — rather than science — could drive consumer behaviour and undermine one of Australia's most popular fresh-produce sectors.
What Consumers Can Do Right Now
While the regulatory debate continues, health experts say there are straightforward steps consumers can take to minimise any potential exposure to pesticide residues on berries.
Professor Ravi Naidu from the University of Newcastle offered simple but practical advice: "By washing berries, you do reduce the levels of pesticides present."
The recommendation applies regardless of the outcome of the current proposal and is consistent with general food safety guidance for fresh produce.
What Happens Next
Public consultations on the proposed change closed this week, meaning the APVMA will now assess submissions before making a final determination. The outcome will have significant implications for both berry growers and the millions of Australian families who consume the fruit regularly.
The controversy highlights ongoing tension between agricultural productivity, regulatory oversight, and community expectations around food safety — a debate that shows no sign of easing in the near term.
