Choosing Safer Fresh Produce

First published in Woopi News in October 2025

In September 2025, ABC News brought to light something that I found very concerning. Food Standards for allowable pesticide levels in fresh produce in Australia are calculated based on consumption. This means levels are higher for herbs, which are eaten sparingly, and lower for high-consumption foods, such as apples. While this system might seem acceptable in theory, a problem arises when the data being relied upon for the calculations is from the 1995 National Consumption Survey. Have you noticed changing consumption trends in the last 30 years? I have, and one example is in the consumption of blueberries, which was the focus of the 7 September 2025 ABC News article.

The article estimated that Australians now eat 3-10 times more blueberries than we did in 1995, and the levels of pesticides, including dimethoate, a potent neurotoxin that is banned in Europe, ingested by a child could place their intake above what is considered “acceptable”, after only a handful of berries. These levels are equally concerning for pregnant women; and they do not consider exposures from other foods eaten in combination.

In our home, we follow the US Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists (ewg.org), to guide us through the overwhelm when sourcing fresh produce. While certified organic and biodynamic are the gold standards, options can be limited and expensive. These lists highlight the foods which are likely to have high pesticide loads, and those which tend to have low levels of pesticides. My rule of thumb is that foods with thick skins, being less susceptible to pests, are generally sprayed less, and therefore buying organic may not be as imperative as it is for the fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list.

Dirty Dozen (buy organic if possible):

Strawberries,Spinach, Kale/Collard/Mustard Greens, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Nectarines, Apples, Bell (Capsicum) & Hot Peppers, Cherries, Blueberries, Green Beans.

Clean 15 (safer to buy conventional):

Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Onions, Papayas, Sweet Peas (frozen), Asparagus, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Cabbage, Mushrooms, Mangoes, Sweet Potatoes, Watermelon, Carrots.

Practical Tips for a Healthy Home

1 Wash thoroughly: Bath sprayed produce for 15 minutes in a vinegar and water bath (1:4) or spray with vinegar, wait 2 minutes, then scrub.

2 Peel when possible (if not organic).

3 Buy local and seasonal: Often less chemical input, shorter storage.

4 Use the Dirty Dozen / Clean 15 guides, updated annually from ewg.org.

5 Diversify your diet: Rotate produce to reduce repeated exposure.

6 Support stronger standards: Stay informed and ask shops for transparency.