No traces of banned chemical thiometon found in blueberries, NSW authorities say, contradicting previous claim

The NSW Environment Protection Authority and the NSW Food Authority have said blueberries are safe to eat after further testing did not detect any traces of banned chemical thiometon.

The presence of thiometon was first flagged by a researcher , Dr Kirsten Benkendorff at Southern Cross University in Coffs Harbour, after she tested punnets of blueberries bought at local supermarkets in 2024.

Thiometon, an insecticide that has not been registered for use since 1995 due to its toxicity, was present in a number of samples, she said.

The EPA, however, has contradicted the findings.

“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,” the EPA and the F