Australians' surging appetite for berries has forced the national farm chemical watchdog to review the risk of exposure to harmful levels of a popular pesticide.

Blueberry, blackberry and raspberry consumption has more than doubled in less than a decade, prompting the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to propose new regulations for the use of dimethoate.

Executive director of risk assessment capability, Sheila Logan, said current residue levels were unlikely to pose a serious risk to human health but safety margins needed to be reconsidered.

"I certainly wouldn't suggest that anyone needs to avoid eating berries,"

Dr Logan said.

Growers must wait one day after spraying blueberries and seven days after spraying rubus berries (blackberries and raspberries)

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