You buy berries because they're one of the healthiest foods you can eat.

They're packed with antioxidants, fibre, vitamin C and countless nutrients that support everything from your immune system to your gut health. They're the kind of food we add to our children's lunchboxes, blend into smoothies or sprinkle over breakfast without a second thought.

Then headlines started appearing saying Australia is considering increasing the legal residue limits of a pesticide on some berries by up to 500 times. Naturally, it raises  questions. A lot of questions...

What is this pesticide? Why are people calling it a PFAS "forever chemical"? And should I be concerned?

The chemical behind the headlines in called isocycloseram. While Australia's food regulator says the proposed residue limits remain within established safety standards, scientists, environmental organisations and health advocates are asking a different question: Should a PFAS pesticide be used on food in the first place?

At Go For Zero, we believe this conversation isn't about creating fear around food. It's about giving information so we can make informed choices for ourselves and our families.

So let's break down exactly what isocycloseram is, why it's making headlines, and what you can do to reduce your exposure-without giving up the healthy foods you love.

What Is Isocycloseram? The PFAS "Forever Chemical" Making Headlines on Australian Berries

Let's keep this simple. Isocycloseram is an insecticide. Its job is to kill insects that damage crops before they reach our supermarkets.
Developed by agricultural company Syngenta, it's designed to protect a wide range of fruits and vegetables from pests that can destroy harvests and reduce food production.

On the surface, that might sound like any other pesticide, but isocycloseram is different for two important reasons:

1. First, it belongs to a newer family of insecticides known as isoxazolines, which are highly effective at controlling certain insects.
2. Second, and this is the reason it's attracting so much attention, it has been classified as a PFAS chemical under the broader international definition used by organisations including the OECD and the European Union.

That's where the controversy begins.

What Exactly Are PFAS "Forever Chemicals"?

You've probably heard the term PFAS before in relation to non-stick cookware, waterproof jackets, firefighting foam or drinking water contamination.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large family of thousands of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry since the 1940s. What makes them unique is the incredibly strong bond between carbon and fluorine atoms.

Without getting too scientific, this bond is one of the strongest in chemistry, which means many PFAS chemicals don't easily break down in nature. Instead, they can remain in soil, rivers and groundwater for years-or even decades.

That's why they're often called "forever chemicals." Think of it like this: when drawing on a whiteboard with a whiteboard marker, normally you can wipe it away. Now imagine writing with permanent marker instead. That's the difference.

Many everyday chemicals naturally break down over time. PFAS are designed to persist. And that's exactly why scientists around the world are paying closer attention to them.

Why Is This Different From Other Pesticides?

Most people assume pesticides simply sit on the outside of fruit. So farmers spray them, we wash them... problem solved. Unfortunately, it isn't always that straightforward.

Isocycloseram is what's known as a "systemic pesticide". Instead of staying only on the surface, the chemical is absorbed into the plant and moves throughout its tissues as it grows.

This helps protect the fruit from insects over a longer period of time. It also means that while washing fruit is still absolutely worthwhile (and we'll show you the best way later in this blog) it can't remove pesticide residues that have already become part of the fruit itself.

That's one of the biggest reasons this pesticide has become the focus of so much discussion.

Why Are People Suddenly Talking About It?

Reports emerged that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) was considering significantly increasing the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for the pesticide on several commonly eaten berries.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• Up to 500 times higher residue limits for raspberries.
• Up to 500 times higher residue limits for blackberries.
• Up to 300 times higher residue limits for blueberries.

Wait... Does That Mean Our Food Is Suddenly Less Safe?

A Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) isn't a measure of how dangerous a chemical is. Instead, it's the maximum amount of pesticide residue that is legally allowed to remain on food when farmers have used the product according to approved directions.
Food regulators establish these limits after reviewing toxicology data, dietary exposure modelling and agricultural practices.

The APVMA maintains that the proposed increases remain within its safety assessments. However, critics (including environmental organisations, scientists and health advocates) argue that PFAS pesticides present broader environmental questions that aren't fully captured by residue limits alone.

The concern isn't simply how much residue remains on food.It's whether persistent PFAS chemicals should be used in agriculture at all, particularly on foods eaten frequently by children.

That distinction is important, and is also why this issue has generated so much debate.

Why Is Isocycloseram So Controversial?

While regulators say approved residue levels are safe, some scientists and environmental organisations believe PFAS pesticides deserve closer scrutiny because of their potential long-term impacts.

Health

• Some animal studies found reproductive and developmental effects at high exposure levels, including reduced sperm counts, smaller testicle size and skeletal changes in developing offspring.

• Note: Regulators use these studies to set safety limits with large margins. This does not mean approved residue levels in food cause these effects in humans. 

Environment

• Isocycloseram is classified as a PFAS, meaning it breaks down very slowly.

• It may degrade into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a highly persistent chemical that can remain in soil and waterways for many years.

Wildlife

• Environmental groups have raised concerns about potential impacts on bees, other beneficial insects and aquatic life.

• Scientists continue to study how persistent pesticides may affect ecosystems over the long term.

Why Has Europe Said "No"?

One question many people are asking is: why is it not allowed in Europe?

The European Union has not approved isocycloseram for agricultural use, because the EU takes a more precautionary approach to PFAS "forever chemicals", particularly those that persist in the environment or may break down into long-lasting compounds like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

That said, different countries can review the same scientific evidence and reach different decisions based on their own legislation, risk assessments and regulatory approach.

How Do Other Countries Compare?

Different countries have reached different decisions:

🇦🇺 Australia

Australia has approved isocycloseram for use on a range of fruits and vegetables (and the APVMA is proposing to increase the Maximum Residue Limits on several berries).
The regulator maintains these proposed limits remain within its safety assessments.

🇺🇸 United States

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved isocycloseram for several agricultural uses. However, some conservation organisations have launched legal challenges, arguing the environmental impacts require further consideration.

🇨🇦 Canada

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency has approved products containing isocycloseram following its scientific review process.

🇪🇺 European Union

The European Union has not approved isocycloseram for agricultural use. Its stricter approach to PFAS chemicals reflects broader environmental policies aimed at reducing long-term contamination from highly persistent substances.

Question	Answer
What is it?	A systemic insecticide
Is it a PFAS?	Yes
Can you wash it off?	Only surface residues
Approved in Australia?	Yes
Approved in Europe?	No
Organic?	Not permitted under certified organic standards

So... Should You Stop Eating Berries?

Berries remain one of the healthiest foods you can eat. They're rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and plant compounds that support heart health, brain function and overall wellbeing.
At Go For Zero, we believe the goal isn't to fear food, but to understand it and learn which practical steps can help reduce unnecessary exposure while still enjoying fruit and vegetables.

The good news is that there are several simple things you can do. In the next section, we'll show you exactly how to wash fruit properly, which methods actually work, what they can (and can't) remove, and the easiest ways to reduce pesticide exposure without making healthy eating feel complicated.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Pesticides (Without Giving Up Healthy Food)

You might be wondering... "So what can I actually do?"

The truth is, we can't eliminate every environmental chemical we're exposed to. But we can make small, intentional choices that reduce our overall toxic load over time.

Think of it like filling a bucket. Everyday exposure doesn't usually come from one single source. It's the combination of the food we eat, the products we use, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Every small change helps keep that bucket a little emptier.

Here are the easiest-and most effective-ways to reduce your exposure.
 
1. Wash Your Fruit With Baking Soda

Let's start with the simplest habit. Washing your produce won't remove systemic pesticides like isocycloseram that have been absorbed inside the fruit, but it can reduce dirt, bacteria and many pesticide residues sitting on the surface. That's still well worth doing!

Research has shown that a baking soda solution is one of the most effective household methods for reducing many surface pesticide residues.

What you'll need:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• 2 cups (500 mL) cold water

Mix until dissolved before adding your fruit.

Soaking times:

1. 🍓 Strawberries, raspberries & blackberries: 30-60 seconds
   These berries have delicate skins and absorb water quickly, so avoid soaking them for longer or they'll become soft.
2. 🫐 Blueberries: 1-2 minutes
   Their skins are slightly firmer but still delicate.
3. 🍎 Apples, pears & grapes: 12-15 minutes
   Studies have found this soaking time can remove a significant proportion of many common surface pesticide residues.
   

Once finished:

• Rinse thoroughly under cold running water for at least 20 seconds.
• Gently dry before eating.

Top Tip: Wash berries just before eating rather than before storing them. Extra moisture encourages mould and shortens their shelf life.

2. Use a Vinegar Wash to Remove Bacteria

While baking soda is better for breaking down many surface pesticide residues, vinegar helps reduce bacteria and mould that naturally occur on fresh produce.
What you'll need:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 3 parts cold water

Soaking times:

1. 🫐 Berries: Up to 2 minutes
2. 🍎 Hard fruits: Up to 10 minutes

Then rinse thoroughly with clean water. This can also help extend the freshness of berries by slowing mould growth.

Should You Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar?

No. Mixing them together actually causes them to neutralise each other. Instead, if you'd like to use both methods:

1. Start with the baking soda soak.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Follow with a brief vinegar soak.
4. Rinse again.

That way you get the benefits of both.

Method	Removes Surface Pesticides	Removes Systemic Pesticides
Water rinse	✓ Some	✗ No
Baking soda soak	✓ Better	✗ No
Vinegar soak	✓ Some + bacteria	✗ No
Peeling	✓ Most surface	✗ No (inside fruit)
Buying organic	✓ Lowest exposure	✓ Best option

3. Choose Organic for the Foods That Matter Most

If your budget doesn't allow you to buy everything organic, don't worry. Few people do. Instead, think about prioritising organic versions of foods that are more likely to carry pesticide residues.

Berries are often one of those foods because they're delicate, difficult to peel and can require more pest management during growing. Buying organic berries when they're available is one practical way to reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides.

4. Get to Know Your Local Growers

One of the best things about shopping at farmers' markets is that you can ask questions. Many smaller growers use fewer pesticides than large commercial farms-or may only spray when absolutely necessary. Some even follow organic principles without seeking certification. You won't know unless you ask.
Questions you could ask are:

• What do you spray your crops with?
• How often do you spray?
• Do you use systemic pesticides?
• Are your farming practices regenerative?

Most growers are happy to talk about how they produce their food.

5. Eat a Wide Variety of Fruit

This is a tip many toxicologists recommend. Rather than eating the exact same fruit every day, try mixing things up throughout the week. Different fruits contain different nutrients-and diversifying your diet may also reduce repeated exposure to residues from any one particular pesticide.

6. Grow What You Can

Even if you only have a balcony or small courtyard, growing your own herbs, lettuce or strawberries can be very rewarding. I cheer on my basil all the time hahaha.

Not only do you know exactly how they've been grown, but you'll also reconnect with where your food comes from.

The Bigger Picture

It's easy to read headlines about chemicals and feel overwhelmed. One week it's microplastics, the next it's PFAS. Then heavy metals. Then pesticides...

Trying to avoid everything can leave you feeling like healthy living is impossible, but what I have learned after years of helping people reduce toxins in their homes is that low-tox living isn't about eliminating every exposure. It's about reducing the exposures you can control while letting go of the ones you can't.
That's where real change happens.

Final Thoughts

Isocycloseram has sparked an important conversation. Not just about one pesticide, but about the future of our food system and the chemicals we allow on the food we eat.

At Go For Zero, we don't believe fear is a healthy motivator but knowledge is.

The reality is that no lifestyle is completely toxin-free, and that's okay. Living low-tox isn't about chasing perfection; it's about making informed choices where you can. Whether that's washing your produce properly, understanding what systemic pesticides are, choosing organic berries when it makes sense or supporting farmers using more sustainable practices, every small step helps reduce your overall toxic load.

These aren't dramatic lifestyle change but simple habits that add up over time.

I hope this blog has helped you feel more informed and empowered to make the choices that feel right for you and your beautiful family.

Lots of love, 

Ellie x

Frequently Asked Questions

Is isocycloseram banned?

No. It is approved for agricultural use in countries including Australia, the United States and Canada.

However, it is not currently approved for agricultural use in the European Union.

Is isocycloseram a PFAS chemical?

Yes. 

Under the broader definition used by the OECD and the European Union, isocycloseram is considered a PFAS ("forever chemical") because of its fluorinated chemical structure.

Can washing remove isocycloseram?

Not completely. 

Because isocycloseram is a systemic pesticide, some of it can be absorbed into the fruit while it's growing.
Washing helps reduce dirt, bacteria and many surface pesticide residues but cannot remove residues that have become part of the fruit itself.

Is organic fruit completely pesticide-free?

Not always.

Organic farmers can still use certain naturally derived or approved pesticides.
However, certified organic standards prohibit the use of many synthetic pesticides, including isocycloseram.

Should I stop eating berries?

No.
Berries remain one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
The goal isn't to avoid fruit, it's to make informed choices, wash produce properly and choose organic where it's practical.
 
 
References
•    Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
•    Health Canada - Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)
•    United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
•    European Union Pesticides Database
•    OECD PFAS terminology resources
•    University of Massachusetts Amherst research on baking soda washing of produce