Authorities say testing showed no evidence of thiometon residue on any berries and previous reports of detection were unreliable
The New South Wales government has confirmed there is no evidence that blueberries from Northern New South Wales are unsafe to eat, following a review by the New South Wales Food Authority and the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The EPA has reviewed the results of a 2024 research project, which reported the presence of thiometon, a pesticide not registered for use in Australia, on store-bought blueberries in Northern New South Wales.
Data from industry testing provider FreshTest for the same testing period as the research project – October and November 2024 – showed no evidence of thiometon residue on any berries tested.
Additionally, a review of the 2024 research found the methodology and analysis used were not accredited for testing fresh fruit such as berries, and therefore the results are unreliable.
The NSW Food Authority said it regularly tests foods for other purposes, including hygiene assessment, foodborne illness investigation, product verification and research. If a food safety risk is identified, the products are recalled it noted.
The NSW Food Authority said it intends to conduct further tests on retailed berries to confirm that thiometon is not present, while the EPA will also continue to focus compliance activities on lawful use of pesticides in the Mid to North Coast regions.
