By Ian Musgrave

Australia’s regulator has suspended use of a common pesticide used on blueberries, raspberries and blackberries known as dimethoate. But this year-long suspension isn’t due to any new information about the pesticide itself. Rather, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) says it’s because we’re eating more berries so our potential exposure has increased. In particular, it says children aged two to six years may be at increased risk of exceeding maximum limits. Here’s what we know about dimethoate and whether berries are still safe to eat.

What is dimethoate?

Dimethoate is a pesticide that has been used in Australia since 1956. It belongs to a class of pesticides that inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This prevents the breakdown of

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