Fresh produce gets all the attention — but Australians eat grains, nuts, dried goods and beverages every single day, often in larger quantities by weight. Bread alone is the single largest contributor to glyphosate dietary exposure in Australia, according to the FSANZ 25th Total Diet Study. This guide covers what we know — and honestly, what we don't — about pesticide residues in the rest of the shopping basket.
Data confidence ratings
★★★★ Strong AU-specific data (NRS, ATDS, FoE)
★★★★ Reasonable AU data + strong international
★★★★ Limited AU data, international proxy
★★★★ Very thin — biology-based inference only
🌾Oats (rolled, instant, muesli) High concern
The highest-residue grain. Oats are routinely treated with glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant — sprayed directly onto the crop days before harvest to accelerate drying. This means residues end up in the grain itself, not just on leaves. Residue levels in conventionally grown oats are consistently among the highest recorded for any cereal crop internationally. Oat bran concentrates residues even further — research shows 44–83% of pesticides in oats accumulate in the bran fraction, meaning "wholegrain" oats carry more than refined.
→ Buy organic oats, especially for children and daily consumers. Rolled oats, muesli, oat-based cereals and porridge all apply.
🍞Wheat, bread & flour High concern
Confirmed in Australian ATDS data. FSANZ found glyphosate in multigrain, wholemeal, spelt, rye and white breads, plus savoury biscuits and crackers. Bread is officially the single largest contributor to glyphosate dietary exposure for Australians. Wheat was also the 2nd highest pesticide detection category in FoE Australia's 2012 report (13.2% of all AU detections), largely driven by post-harvest storage treatments (chlorpyrifos-methyl, pirimiphos-methyl, deltamethrin). These storage chemicals are highly persistent. Wholegrain and bran-based products carry more than white flour.
→ Organic bread or flour for daily users. Sourdough does not remove glyphosate. White flour has lower bran-fraction residues than wholemeal.
🍚Rice Moderate
FSANZ found glyphosate in rice-based breakfast cereals, rice flour, crackers and infant rice cereal. Infant cereal was specifically named — relevant given it's often a baby's first solid food. Rice itself is also grown in standing water which concentrates some contaminants. Imported rice (most rice sold in Australia comes from Thailand, Pakistan, India) may carry different chemical profiles than Australian-grown.
→ Worth buying organic for infants. For general use, Australian-grown rice where available.
🫘Pulses (lentils, chickpeas, dried beans) Moderate
Glyphosate is used as a desiccant on pulses in Australia (lentils, chickpeas, canola). Canadian testing found glyphosate in 20–45% of pulse products, with highest levels in chickpeas and lentils. The NRS covers Australian pulses for export compliance but consumer-facing residue data is limited. Imported pulses from India and the US carry higher risk given different application practices.
→ AU-grown preferred. Organic if pulses are a daily staple. Canned pulses: lower residue than dry (water leaches some out).
The wholegrain paradox: Choosing wholegrain over refined is nutritionally sound — but it means accepting higher pesticide residue loads from the bran fraction, where chemicals concentrate. If you eat wholegrain bread, oats or bran-based cereals daily, this is the strongest case for switching those specific items to organic. The residue reduction in refined (white) grain products is real but comes at a nutritional cost. Organic wholegrain is the ideal — it gets you both.
🥜Peanuts Higher risk
Grown underground in direct soil contact, with high fungicide and insecticide use. Flagged internationally for higher pesticide loads. Also the primary aflatoxin risk nut in Australia — aflatoxin from India and China sources is well-monitored by FSANZ's Imported Food Inspection Scheme. Most peanuts and peanut butter sold in AU are imported.
→ Organic peanut butter for regular use. Check country of origin.
🫘Cashews Moderate
All cashews sold in Australia are imported (primarily India, Vietnam, Ivory Coast). Significant pesticide use in growing regions. However, the shelling and roasting process removes most surface residues — studies show 93–97% reduction from shelling and roasting. Residue risk lower in finished cashews than raw agricultural crop.
→ Conventional is reasonably fine. Organic worth it if eating very large quantities.
🫘Pistachios Moderate
Flagged internationally for higher pesticide loads. All imported into Australia (Iran, USA, Turkey are main sources). EU data shows 25% MRL exceedance rate in Brazil nuts; pistachio data less clear but sourcing from Iran and Turkey warrants caution. Aflatoxin monitoring applies.
→ Moderate caution. Rinse before eating.
🌰Almonds Lower risk (AU)
AU-grown almonds are covered by the NRS with good compliance data. Australian almonds generally have lower residue loads than imported US almonds (which have high fungicide use). Check origin — imported almonds (mainly USA) carry higher risk than AU-grown (Sunraysia/SA regions).
→ Buy Australian-grown where labelled. Organic worthwhile for US-imported almonds.
🌰Macadamias Lower risk
Australian-grown, NRS monitored, strong compliance record. Hard shell protects kernel. One of the lower-risk nuts available in Australian supermarkets. Most macadamias sold in AU are domestically produced (QLD, NSW).
→ Conventional Australian macadamias are generally fine.
🌰Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans Moderate-low
Mainly imported (USA, Europe, Turkey). Hard shells provide good protection of the kernel. No specific AU testing data — international data suggests lower residue loads than peanuts or cashews. EU heavy metal data flags pecan for lead and Hg, but pesticide residues not a primary concern.
→ Generally fine conventional. Rinse before eating.
Seeds note: Sesame seeds (mostly imported, often from Ethiopia, India, Nigeria) have been flagged internationally for ethylene oxide contamination — a fumigation chemical linked to cancer. This is a distinct issue from pesticides but worth noting for tahini and hummus consumers. EU has issued major recalls of sesame from these origins. Organic or certified-clean sesame products are advisable.
🍵Black & green tea (imported) High concern
One of the highest-risk imported foods. Tea leaves are never washed before consumption — you brew them directly. Multiple major international investigations have found widespread pesticide contamination: Canadian CBC testing (2014) found over half of major brands exceeded legal limits; Greenpeace India testing found DDT in 67% of Indian tea samples despite being banned. EU data specifically flags chlorpyrifos in teas from China as a recurring exceedance. Australian MRL for tea is 0.01 ppm (same as EU default) but testing frequency in AU is low.
→ Certified organic tea is the clearest risk-reduction step. Particularly for daily tea drinkers. Loose-leaf from certified sources or known organic brands preferred.
☕Coffee Moderate
Coffee is grown in tropical regions with high pesticide use. However, roasting significantly degrades many pesticide residues — the high heat of roasting (200°C+) breaks down most organophosphates and pyrethroids. Ground coffee and espresso therefore carry lower residue loads than the raw bean suggests. Instant coffee and cold brew carry somewhat higher risk as the roasting/heat degradation is the primary reduction mechanism. Decaf coffee can carry additional solvents from the decaffeination process.
→ Organic coffee worth it for daily drinkers. Standard roasted coffee is lower risk than the growing conditions suggest.
The brewing problem: Unlike food where you eat the flesh and discard skin, with tea you brew the leaves and drink the water. Pesticides that are water-soluble migrate directly into your cup. A 3-minute brew of a contaminated tea bag can transfer a meaningful fraction of residues into the drink. Organic certification is essentially the only practical consumer protection here — there's no way to reduce residue at the brewing stage.
🍇Raisins & sultanas High concern
Grapes are already on the fresh produce Dirty Dozen. Drying concentrates pesticide residues by removing water while leaving chemicals behind — meaning dried grapes carry proportionally higher residue loads per gram than fresh. EU data shows dried fruit among the highest exceedance rate categories. Most raisins and sultanas in Australian supermarkets are imported (Turkey, USA, South Africa) or domestic. Both warrant attention.
→ Organic raisins/sultanas strongly recommended, especially for children's snacks and baking.
🍑Dried apricots, peaches, prunes Moderate-high
Stone fruit is on the fresh Dirty Dozen. Drying concentrates residues. Dried apricots from Turkey (the dominant source globally) have historically been treated with sulphur dioxide as a preservative (separate issue) but also carry pesticide residues from source country practices. Most dried stone fruit sold in Australia is imported.
→ Organic preferred, particularly for sulphite-sensitive individuals and children.
🫐Dried cranberries & blueberries Moderate
Both berries carry high pesticide loads fresh (blueberries on the Dirty Dozen). Concentration effect from drying applies. Most dried berries sold in Australia are imported from the US or Canada.
→ Organic preferred for regular use.
🥭Dried mango, pineapple, coconut Lower risk
The underlying fresh fruit (mango, pineapple) is on the Clean Fifteen — thick skin, lower pesticide loads. Drying still concentrates what residues exist, but the starting point is much lower. Coconut is generally very low risk. Check for added sugar and sulphites as a separate health consideration.
→ Generally fine conventional. Check for added sugar and sulphites.
🧂Salt, pepper, vinegar
Mineral and fermentation products — negligible pesticide exposure.
🧈Butter & animal fats
Fat-soluble pesticides (organochlorines) can concentrate in fat, but Australia's dairy industry has low historical DDT/organochlorine levels. Generally low concern.
🍯Honey
Australian honey has excellent residue compliance in NRS data. Systemic neonicotinoids in bees are an environmental concern but translate to very low residue in honey itself.
🫒Olive oil
Australian-grown and Italian/Spanish imports both have low pesticide residue profiles. The oil extraction process leaves most residues behind in the pomace.
🌽Corn / maize products
The husk is removed before processing, which removes the majority of pesticide residues. Low residue in corn flour, polenta, corn-based cereals (non-oat).
🥚Eggs
Australian egg industry has low pesticide residue levels in NRS data. Free-range and organic hens still eat some grains but overall residue in eggs is very low.
Quick Reference — Beyond Fresh Produce
| Food |
Risk Level |
Key Issue (AU context) |
Action |
| Oats (rolled, muesli, porridge) |
High |
Glyphosate desiccation; bran concentrates residues |
Buy organic, esp. for children |
| Bread & wheat flour |
High |
#2 AU pesticide detection category (FoE 2012); glyphosate confirmed in ATDS |
Organic bread/flour for daily consumers |
| Tea (black, green, herbal) |
High |
Never washed; residues brew directly into cup; chlorpyrifos from China |
Certified organic tea |
| Raisins & sultanas |
High |
Grapes = Dirty Dozen; drying concentrates residues |
Organic, esp. for children's snacks |
| Peanuts & peanut butter |
Moderate-High |
Soil contact, high fungicide use; aflatoxin risk (imports) |
Organic PB for regular use |
| Rice & rice products |
Moderate |
Glyphosate in infant cereal (ATDS); imported varieties vary |
Organic for infants; AU-grown preferred |
| Pulses (dried lentils, chickpeas) |
Moderate |
Glyphosate desiccation on AU pulses; imported risk higher |
AU-grown preferred; organic if daily staple |
| Dried stone fruit (apricots, prunes) |
Moderate |
Drying concentrates residues from stone fruit (Dirty Dozen) |
Organic preferred |
| Coffee |
Moderate |
High-input crop; roasting degrades most residues |
Organic for daily drinkers |
| Cashews, pistachios |
Moderate |
All imported; processing removes most surface residues |
Conventional generally ok; rinse before eating |
| AU almonds & macadamias |
Lower |
NRS monitored, good compliance |
AU-grown conventional fine |
| Honey, olive oil, eggs, butter |
Low |
Generally low residues; AU data reassuring |
Conventional generally fine |