Driscoll's Strawberries Under Scrutiny Over Alleged Cancer Risks

Popular American agriculture company, Driscoll’s, came under scrutiny after a batch of strawberries tested positive for pesticide residues. Driscoll’s is one of the world’s largest marketers of berries, distributing fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries to many countries worldwide. The report found 12 different pesticide residues on their strawberries.

Consumer watchdog Mamavation purchased two containers of Driscoll’s strawberries, one organic and one conventional, from a grocery store in Southern California. They sent the products to an EPA-certified lab, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia, to test for the presence of more than 500 different pesticides.

According to the report, 12 different pesticide residues were found on the conventional strawberries. Of the 12, approximately eight were identified as PFAS-linked pesticides or related fluorinated compounds. These compounds, known as “forever chemicals”, can persist in the environment and the human body for years.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are found in many consumer products. They are typically used to make products resistant to heat, water, grease and stains. As PFAS degrade extremely slowly, repeated exposure to these chemicals can cause them to build up in the body, resulting in toxic effects.

Research has suggested that exposure to PFAS is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. In particular, PFAS are linked with an increased risk of developing kidney and testicular cancer. For instance, a study has shown that people with high levels of PFOA in their blood were twice as likely to develop kidney cancer.

Additionally, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), certain types of PFAS are classified as Group 1 carcinogens. In other words, they are considered to be cancer-causing in humans.

PFAS levels in Driscoll’s strawberries

According to the report, the PFAS levels detected in Driscoll’s conventional strawberries are within US federal tolerance levels. These levels are legal limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pesticide residues on food sold in the US. However, the reported levels are allegedly above certain international standards, sparking concerns over exposure to these chemicals.

Fortunately, detecting pesticide residues in food does not necessarily correlate with a health risk. The tolerance levels set by the EPA are designed to remain well below toxic amounts based on current scientific evidence.

In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for Driscoll’s said that the company "takes seriously and closely follows scientific best practices and regulatory guidance on research related to food-safety risks" and that Driscoll’s and its independent grower partners "operate in full compliance with applicable US federal, state and local pesticide and food-safety regulations."

Strawberries are natural antioxidants and are not known to cause cancer by themselves. In fact, studies have even suggested that strawberries have the potential to reduce the likelihood of developing certain cancers, such as breast or lung cancers. Research has also suggested that foods rich in dietary fibre, which include strawberries, may reduce the risk of cancer.