14/10/2026
We typically expect that eating fresh and whole foods from your local shops and supermarkets would be healthy foods, and obviously better than processed foods and fast foods (ie take-aways and junk foods). But a recent investigation and published report by an independent group (Pesticide Action Australia) on a large number of fresh foods in several major supermarkets in Australia, found these foods were exposed to an alarming amount of toxic pesticides, forever chemicals, and other issues.
The investigators purchased a total of 78 samples of 13 types of fruit and vegetables from Aldi, Coles and Woolworths stores across five cities (Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne) in June 2026. Produce was bought and delivered to an independent National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)-accredited laboratory on the same day of purchase (Pesticide Action Australia, 2026).
The report on the investigations into pesticide exposures found:
1. 201 total pesticides in the 78 samples of vegetables and fruits, or an average of over 2.5 chemicals per item
2. 54 different pesticides detected
3. 56% of these pesticides are not approved in the European Union
4. 44% of items were exposed to “forever chemicals”, which can be hormone-disrupting, cancer-causing, or have other effects on your health
5. 14% of foods were exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides which can kill bees and other insects
6. 8 chemicals found on samples were banned and had no approval to be used on these foods
7. 4 samples had breached approved or accepted levels of pesticide exposure.
Even certified organic foods, which are meant to be safer and healthier, and not exposed to toxic agricultural chemicals, cannot be guaranteed to be free from them. I know of a former Woolies fresh produce employee who told me that she saw her colleagues going around the fresh food section daily in the warmer months, when there were a lot of fruit flies, with cans of insecticide and spraying this all around the exposed fruits and vegetables, including on and around all the “certified organic” produce.
This report, and together with the recent ABC Four Corners investigations into food fraud in Australia, shows a concerning lack of concern by the supermarkets, food industry, and food safety regulators, in the quality or safety of our foods. See my recent articles on this documentary series.
A recent online poll of over 1000 Australians found 80% wanted fewer agricultural chemicals on their foods. (Only 80%?! Who wants more?)
The Pesticide Action Australia group want everyone in our food supply, from the farmers, supermarkets, food industry, regulators, and consumers, to be aware of the issues with these chemicals on the environment and on our health, and to pressure the supermarkets, politicians, and anyone relevant, into making changes to reducing exposure to these chemicals and their effects. Such consumer action resulted in a reduction of chemicals being used in the UK in 2019. We can and should do the same.
Stay healthy!
References:
Pesticide Action Australia. (2026). Australia’s Residue Report 2026. Retrieved 8th October 2026 from https://pesticideaction.org.au/residuereport26/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet
