Pesticide residues have been detected on fruit and vegetables sold by some of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, prompting renewed questions about food safety.
Pesticide Action Australia’s (PAA) Residue Report 2026, released on Wednesday, examined 13 types of produce, including apples, bananas, lettuce, strawberries and potatoes.
Researchers bought the samples at random from Coles, Woolworths and Aldi outlets in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne during June.
Across 78 samples, the report recorded 201 pesticide residue detections involving 54 different chemicals. PAA said some of those substances have been associated with health concerns.
Around 44 per cent of the samples contained at least one PFAS chemical, commonly known as “forever chemicals”. PFAS exposure has been linked to health concerns including certain cancers and high cholesterol.
“Australia approves hundreds of hazardous pesticides that are banned overseas, and our government is failing to regularly test for residues,” project lead Eleanor Davis told news.com.au.
“As a result, more hazardous pesticides are ending up on our plates… For many Australian kids, food is the main way they’re exposed to pesticides.
“And our industry-funded pesticide regulator is not assessing the ongoing low-level ‘chemical cocktail’ kids are exposed to every day.”
Pesticide Action Australia’s Residue Report 2026 detected a range of pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables sold in major supermarkets (stock image)
Farmers use pesticides extensively to protect crops, preserve food supplies, limit waste and maintain agricultural productivity.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is responsible for approving products and setting maximum residue limits. State and territory agencies investigate suspected misuse and potential breaches involving pesticide residues.
PAA’s report highlighted differences between Australia’s pesticide rules and regulations in other countries. It claimed that 60 per cent of the pesticides most heavily used in Australia are prohibited in the European Union.
The report also said only 16 per cent of those widely used pesticides have received full international approval.
Neonicotinoids were found in 14 per cent of the samples. The pesticide group is banned in the European Union and restricted in parts of the UK, US and Canada because of environmental and potential health concerns.
PAA said residues from four pesticides exceeded maximum levels permitted by the APVMA, including in some grape and strawberry samples.
The testing also detected five organophosphate pesticides. According to the US National Institutes of Health, chemicals in this group can affect the nervous system.
The APVMA told the Daily Mail it was aware of the report published by PAA.
Eleanor Davis, project lead at Pesticide Action Australia (pictured) said that Australia has a ‘pesticide problem’
“Any suspected MRL violations should be reported to the relevant state or territory authority for investigation,” an APVMA spokesperson said.
“These authorities will determine the origin of the food and, for Australian produce, whether approved use patterns were followed.
‘Where non-compliance is identified, the relevant control-of-use authority will take appropriate action.’
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Pesticide Action Australia criticised the APVMA in June after the regulator allowed the continued use of paraquat with restrictions, concluding that the weight of evidence did not show approved uses increased the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
The regulator was criticised again in July over proposed higher residue limits for isocycloseram on berries, with campaigners noting the pesticide was not approved for use in the European Union.
Ms Davis said that, with the rising cost of living, shoppers should not be expected to shop around or pay more to avoid chemicals on their food.
‘Many farmers, already under growing pressure, want to spray fewer chemicals,’ she said.
‘But our current food system doesn’t make it easy for them. In fact, it places all the risk on them.’
Pesticides are widely used to protect crops and support food production, with their use regulated by the APVMA (stock image)
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Ms Davis added: ‘Supermarkets should be supporting our farmers to transition to nature-friendly farming practices.
‘Farmers can’t be expected to take on all the risks and costs alone.’
Coles, Woolworths and Aldi all stated they follow Australian laws for all fresh produce.
‘Food safety is our highest priority at Coles, and we expect all fresh produce suppliers to meet strict food safety requirements and comply with applicable Australian regulations,’ a Coles spokesperson said.
‘All fresh produce supplied to Coles must come from certified growers who follow strict food safety requirements on pesticide use and when produce can be harvested.
‘Coles regularly tests a range of fresh produce for pesticide residues throughout the year and has been doing so for decades.’
An Aldi spokesperson told the Daily Mail the supermarket ‘requires its fresh produce suppliers to meet recognised food safety standards’.
‘Suppliers undertake regular testing, with fresh produce items required to comply with all standards,’ they said.
‘In addition to supplier testing, ALDI conducts risk-based surveillance testing as part of its food safety and quality assurance program.’
It is understood Woolworths follows the strictest food safety standards and ensures full compliance with legislative requirements set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
All primary suppliers and growers are independently audited under the Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme, which mandates residue testing and agricultural standards.
In addition, the technical teams conduct risk-based testing, farm site inspections, and work closely with state food safety regulators to ensure produce integrity.