Cancer-linked toxins found in America's favorite strawberry brand, consumer group claims

An investigation has allegedly uncovered cancer-linked chemicals in strawberries sold by Driscoll's, one of America's most recognizable berry brands.

Consumer watchdog Mamavation purchased two containers of Driscoll's strawberries, one organic and one conventional, from a Southern California grocery store and sent them to an EPA-certified laboratory for testing of more than 500 pesticides.

Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, based in Virginia, detected residues of 12 different pesticides on the conventional strawberries, the report said.

Approximately eight were identified as PFAS-linked pesticides or related fluorinated compounds, often referred to as 'forever chemicals' because some can persist in the environment and the human body for years.

While the detected residues appear to fall within US federal tolerance levels, the report alleged several exceeded stricter international standards and raised concerns about cumulative exposure to PFAS-linked pesticides.

Mamavation said some of the detected residue levels exceeded limits used in the European Union, Taiwan, Chile, Korea and Russia.

However, the specific organic strawberry samples tested in the investigation reportedly showed no detectable pesticide or PFAS residues.

A Driscoll’s spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'Driscoll’s takes seriously and closely follows scientific best practices and regulatory guidance on research related to food-safety risks.

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'Driscoll’s and our independent grower partners operate in full compliance with applicable US federal, state and local pesticide and food-safety regulations, including frequent oversight by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

'All Driscoll’s growers also undergo third-party audits by independent auditors to help provide transparency and ensure they are using safe agricultural practices at each stage of production.'

In a separate report, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an advocacy organization focused on food and environmental safety, analyzed nearly 50 different fruits and vegetables and ranked strawberries among the produce items with the highest number of detectable pesticide residues. The report did not specifically mention what brand of strawberries were tested.

Though Americans consume about eight pounds of fresh strawberries per year, the group reported that 99 percent of tested samples contained detectable residue of at least one pesticide, while about 30 percent contained 10 or more.

The EPA sets legal pesticide residue limits, known as 'tolerances,' for foods sold in the US. These limits are typically measured in parts per million, meaning many approved thresholds are significantly higher than the parts-per-billion levels detected in the strawberries.

Experts note that detecting pesticide residue does not necessarily mean the food poses a health risk, as federal tolerance levels are designed to remain below amounts considered harmful based on current scientific evidence.

Critics of current pesticide regulations argue that even low-level exposure may raise concerns when multiple chemicals are consumed together over long periods of time, especially PFAS-linked compounds that can accumulate in the environment and the body.

Federal agencies, meanwhile, maintain that pesticide residues below established tolerance levels are considered safe based on current scientific assessments.

Among the substances identified in the independent investigation was flonicamid, an insecticide used to kill aphids and other sap-feeding pests, which was detected at 32 parts per billion (ppb).

The laboratory also reportedly found 60 ppb of fludioxonil, a fungicide commonly sprayed on fruit to prevent mold and decay during storage and transport.

Flupyradifurone, an insecticide designed to attack the nervous systems of insects, was detected at 27 ppb, while fluxapyroxad, a fungicide used to stop fungal diseases in crops, was measured at 26 ppb. The report claimed the fluxapyroxad level exceeded standards used in Russia.

Researchers also identified 25 ppb of indoxacarb, an insecticide used against caterpillars and other crop-damaging insects, with the report alleging the amount surpassed limits set in the European Union, Taiwan and Chile.

Novaluron, another insect growth regulator that disrupts insect development, was detected at 19 ppb, which investigators claimed exceeded European Union standards.

Additional residues included 13 ppb of tetraconazole, a fungicide used to combat mildew and plant diseases, and 35 ppb of TFNG, a chemical breakdown product associated with certain pesticide compounds.

The testing also reportedly identified several non-PFAS pesticides at higher concentrations.

Cyprodinil, a fungicide commonly used on berries and grapes, was detected at 125 ppb, while pyrimethanil, another anti-fungal chemical used to prevent crop rot, measured 310 ppb.

Quinoxyfen, a fungicide used to control powdery mildew, was found at 45 ppb, which the report claimed exceeded Korean standards.

The highest level detected was tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI), a chemical byproduct linked to the fungicide captan, which measured 302 ppb in the strawberries.

The Driscoll's spokesperson added: 'Driscoll’s pursues a triple-bottom-line approach: environmental stewardship, community partnership, and economic sustainability.

'We support independent organic and conventional growers in meeting USDA standards, invest in soil health and biodiversity, and fund local leaders and nonprofits through the Driscoll’s Charitable Fund to advance resilient, safe food systems.'