A range of tropical fruit - including mangoes and avocados - are now no longer allowed to be dipped in dimethoate. Dimethoate is a neurotoxin banned in Europe, but still used in some countries as an insecticide.
This week Australia’s chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority issued a 12-month suspension notice after testing found dimethoate residue above the maximum permissible limit on the skin of mango and avocado samples. The announcement said the use of dimethoate as a post-harvest dip to control fruit fly on avocados, mangoes and other tropical fruits like bananas, custard apples, feijoas, guavas, lychees and pawpaw “may not meet the safety criteria”.
