How Clean Is Our Fresh Produce? Understanding Pesticide Residues in Australian Fruit and Vegetables

Making informed choices about the food we eat, reducing unnecessary exposures and finding practical ways to support our wellbeing.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. However, recent findings from Pesticide Action Australia have raised important questions about pesticide residues in some of the produce available in our Australian supermarkets.

As someone who takes a holistic approach to wellbeing, I believe it is important to understand what we are being exposed to and, just as importantly, what we can realistically do about it.

This is not about creating fear around food or feeling that we must buy everything organic. It is about increasing awareness, making informed choices and finding manageable ways to reduce unnecessary exposures where possible.

What did the Australian testing find?

Pesticide Action Australia purchased 78 samples representing 13 common fruit and vegetable varieties from Coles, Woolworths and Aldi across Australia. The samples were sent to an independent laboratory for testing.

According to the reported findings, the testing identified:

• 201 pesticide residues

• 54 different pesticides

• 44% of samples containing at least one pesticide classified as PFAS

• 56% of samples containing at least one pesticide not approved for use in the European Union

Some samples were also reported to contain pesticide residues exceeding Australian maximum residue limits (MRLs).

For example, one strawberry sample reportedly contained the fungicide bupirimate at 9.5 times its Australian MRL, while one grape sample contained bifenthrin at 5.5 times its MRL.

These findings highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring, transparency and appropriate regulation of pesticide residues in our food supply.

It is worth understanding that detecting a pesticide does not automatically mean a food is unsafe to eat. A health risk depends on factors including the particular substance, the amount present and the level and duration of exposure. Nevertheless, findings such as these reinforce the value of being informed about our food and understanding the options available to us.

Why should we pay attention to pesticide exposure?

Pesticides are used in agriculture to manage insects, weeds, fungi and other threats to crops. Their use can help protect food production, but residues may remain on produce or, in some cases, be present within the plant itself.

Some pesticides also belong to the broader group of chemicals known as PFAS, which are of particular interest because certain PFAS chemicals can persist in the environment. However, PFAS compounds differ considerably in their properties and toxicity, so it is important not to assume that every PFAS-classified pesticide carries the same risks.

Our overall exposure is influenced by many factors, including the foods we eat, where and how they are grown, how frequently particular chemicals are used and the levels of residues present.

Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the number of chemicals detected, I prefer to focus on practical steps that can help us make more informed choices while continuing to enjoy the nutritional benefits of fresh produce.

The Dirty Dozen: Which produce could you prioritise buying organic?

Organic produce can be more expensive, and buying everything organic is not financially realistic for many households.

If your budget is limited, prioritising selected items may be a more manageable approach. The following is an adapted shopping guide based on available Australian information and commonly used overseas produce guides. It is intended as a practical starting point rather than an official Australian ranking of pesticide residues.

Produce to consider prioritising as organic where possible:

• Berries

• Celery

• Grapes

• Mushrooms

• Apples

• Stone fruit

• Leafy greens

• Broccoli

• Capsicum

• Potatoes

• Tomatoes

• Pears

You might choose to prioritise the items your household eats most frequently, particularly when they are eaten with their skins intact.

Remember that pesticide residues vary between individual samples, growing regions, seasons and farming practices. These lists should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every conventionally grown item contains high residues or that every organic item is entirely residue-free.

The Clean 15: Where conventional produce may be a practical option

If organic produce is outside your budget, there is no need to feel that you must avoid fresh fruit and vegetables.

The following is an adapted list of produce that may be practical options to purchase conventionally, informed by commonly used overseas guidance and available Australian information. It is not a verified Australian ranking of the 15 lowest-residue foods.

Produce to consider buying conventional when organic is not accessible:

• Avocado

• Sweet corn

• Kiwi fruit

• Watermelon

• Garlic

• Cauliflower

• Onion

• Carrots

• Peas

• Bananas

• Pumpkin

• Honeydew melon

• Pineapple

• Papaya

• Mango

Thicker skins or outer coverings can provide some protection from surface residues, but they do not guarantee that a food is free from pesticides. Residues can also vary considerably between crops and individual samples.

The most important thing is to find an approach that works for your household and budget, rather than feeling pressured to change everything at once.

Five practical ways to reduce pesticide residues at home

The good news is that there are simple steps you can incorporate into your usual food preparation routine.

1. Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly

Rinse produce under clean, running water and gently rub the surface with your hands. For firm produce, a clean produce brush can be helpful.

Washing can remove dirt, some microorganisms and some surface pesticide residues. Its effectiveness depends on the particular pesticide and how it is present on the produce.

2. Consider using a suitable fruit and vegetable wash

A purpose-designed produce wash may help remove some surface residues, depending on its formulation and the substance involved. Follow the manufacturer's directions and check that the product is suitable for the intended produce.

A produce wash should not be assumed to remove all pesticides, and it cannot reliably remove chemicals that have penetrated into the flesh of the fruit or vegetable.

3. Peel when appropriate

Peeling certain fruits and vegetables can reduce some residues present on the skin or outer layers.

However, peeling is not a complete solution. Some pesticides may be present inside the plant, and removing the skin also removes beneficial fibre and some nutrients. Where appropriate, thoroughly washing and eating the skin can still be a nutritious choice.

4. Choose organic selectively

If you would like to reduce exposure further, consider purchasing organic versions of the produce your family eats most frequently, when your budget allows.

Even swapping a few regular purchases can be a useful starting point.

5. Keep eating a varied diet rich in fresh produce

It is important not to let concerns about pesticide residues discourage you from eating fruit and vegetables. These foods provide a wide range of nutrients that support overall health and wellbeing.

Variety, balanced nutrition and practical food preparation habits are more helpful than avoiding fresh produce out of fear.

An important distinction: surface residues versus systemic pesticides

One thing I particularly want to highlight is that washing and peeling primarily help with residues on the outside of produce, although peeling may also remove some residues in outer tissues.

Some pesticides are systemic, meaning they can be absorbed by the plant and distributed into its tissues. In these cases, washing the surface will not reliably remove the pesticide present within the flesh.

This is why I view washing as one useful step in a broader approach to reducing exposure, rather than a complete solution.

A new addition to the Inner Wellness clinic

As part of my commitment to helping you make more conscious choices about everyday environmental exposures, I will now be stocking EnviroClean Fruit Veg Wash at Inner Wellness Natural Medicine.

This plant-based fruit and vegetable wash is designed to help remove surface residues, including dirt, wax and certain unwanted substances, from your fresh produce.

While no wash can remove every pesticide — particularly chemicals absorbed into the plant itself — I believe that taking practical steps to reduce unnecessary exposure is worth considering.

EnviroClean Fruit Veg Wash

• Recommended retail price: $11.90

• Your Inner Wellness price: $10.50

• One bottle provides approximately 200 washes, according to the product label.

If you would like me to order one for you, simply reply to this newsletter or get in touch with me directly.

Sometimes, it is the small, consistent changes we make in our everyday routines that help us take a more conscious approach to our wellbeing.

With love and wellness,

Tanya 🌿