BajaNomad

Are strawberries grown in Baja safe to eat?

mtgoat666 - 8-28-2026 at 06:57 AM

Many strawberries sold in socal supermarkets are sourced from farms in Baja. Driscoll sources most socal strawberries from Baja.

May 12, 2026
// by Leah Segedie

Mamavation tested organic and conventional strawberries from Driscoll’s for 500+ types of pesticides at our EPA-certified laboratory and found PFAS-laden pesticides, also known as “forever pesticides,” in conventional strawberries.

Mamavation sent two boxes of Driscoll’s strawberries from a grocery store in Southern California to our EPA-certified laboratory, requesting testing for 500+ pesticides on Monday, May 4th, 2026. The results were a bit shocking. According to our laboratory, Driscoll’s conventional strawberries contained residues of 12 different pesticides at levels prohibited in the European Union, Taiwan, Chile, Korea & Russia. 8 of those pesticides are considered PFAS “forever chemicals,” meaning they are extremely persistent and highly toxic. These pesticides are also known as “forever pesticides.”

Strawberries — 12 pesticides found
PFAS-Laden Pesticides (aka “Forever Pesticides”) Found on Driscoll’s Conventional Strawberries
Flonicamid (sum): 32 ppb
Fludioxonil: 60 ppb
Flupyradifurone: 27 ppb
Fluxapyroxad: 26 ppb (limit also exceeds Russian standards)
Indoxacarb: 25 ppb (limits also exceed EU, Taiwan & Chile standards)
Novaluron: 19 ppb (limits also exceed EU standards)
Tetraconazole: 13 ppb
TFNG: 35 ppb

Other Types of Pesticides Found on Driscoll’s Conventional Strawberries
Cyprodinil: 125 ppb
Pyrimethanil: 310 ppb
Quinoxyfen: 45 ppb (limit also exceeds Korean standards)
Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI): 302 ppb

Strawberries labeled as “organic” were non-detect for pesticides.

https://mamavation.com/food/pfas-pesticides-driscolls-strawb...

What are those Baja farms spraying all over the strawberries?
:?:

[Edited on 8-28-2026 by mtgoat666]

SFandH - 8-28-2026 at 07:18 AM

I once walked through some agricultural fields near Todos Santos that the owner advertised as an organic farm at his roadside market. Empty white plastic bottles with large skull-and-crossbones images were on the ground.

I recently watched a YouTube video about Driscoll's operations. According to the video, their Baja operations in the San Quintin Valley use heavy pesticides and pay near-slave-labor wages to field workers, who are exposed to the pesticides.





[Edited on 8-28-2026 by SFandH]

[Edited on 8-28-2026 by SFandH]

Are they safe?

AKgringo - 8-28-2026 at 03:21 PM

Even if they are not "truly organic", the frequency and dosage of consumption would be the deciding factor. As often as I am gobbling up strawberries, I have no concerns about getting a harmful dose.

Ateo - 8-28-2026 at 05:38 PM

I just ate like 15 strawberries from there.....keep ya posted on my death.

AKgringo - 8-28-2026 at 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
I just ate like 15 strawberries from there.....keep ya posted on my death.


I recommend that you cleanse your system immediately with whipped cream, straight from the can!

Glidergeek - 8-29-2026 at 06:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
I just ate like 15 strawberries from there.....keep ya posted on my death.


Do you have anything worth leaving us?

[Edited on 8-29-2026 by Glidergeek]

mtgoat666 - 8-29-2026 at 07:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Even if they are not "truly organic", the frequency and dosage of consumption would be the deciding factor. As often as I am gobbling up strawberries, I have no concerns about getting a harmful dose.


Long term exposure to chlorinated herbicides/pesticides and PFAS/PFOA leads to chronic health issues…
You are exposed to these chemicals in most all fruit and produce, not just strawberries…
Modern food production is full of regulated and unregulated pesticides, herbicides and preservatives…
Trump admin is rolling back food and ag regulations and protections, increasing risks to consumers…



[Edited on 8-29-2026 by mtgoat666]

surabi - 8-29-2026 at 08:01 PM

Non-organic strawberries, along with grapes and soybeans, are the most heavily sprayed crops. I haven't eaten non-organic strawberries in 40 years.

Ateo - 8-29-2026 at 09:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
I just ate like 15 strawberries from there.....keep ya posted on my death.


I recommend that you cleanse your system immediately with whipped cream, straight from the can!


Made me LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ateo - 8-29-2026 at 09:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Glidergeek  
Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
I just ate like 15 strawberries from there.....keep ya posted on my death.


Do you have anything worth leaving us?

[Edited on 8-29-2026 by Glidergeek]



I just finalized a life insurance policy.....but other than that, a few guitars and surfboards.............

SFandH - 8-30-2026 at 08:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


Flonicamid (sum): 32 ppb
Fludioxonil: 60 ppb
Flupyradifurone: 27 ppb
Fluxapyroxad: 26 ppb (limit also exceeds Russian standards)
Indoxacarb: 25 ppb (limits also exceed EU, Taiwan & Chile standards)
Novaluron: 19 ppb (limits also exceed EU standards)
Tetraconazole: 13 ppb
TFNG: 35 ppb
Cyprodinil: 125 ppb
Pyrimethanil: 310 ppb
Quinoxyfen: 45 ppb (limit also exceeds Korean standards)
Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI): 302 ppb


[Edited on 8-28-2026 by mtgoat666]


Goat, here's an AI analysis of the pesticides/concentrations you listed:

-----------------------------
Evaluating the risk of these pesticide concentrations requires converting parts per billion (ppb) into parts per million (ppm, equivalent to mg/kg), which is the standard metric used for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and toxicological assessments.

Because 1 ppb equals 0.001 mg/kg (ppm), all the values provided are exceptionally low—ranging from 0.013 mg/kg to 0.310 mg/kg.

1. Contextualizing the Concentrations (ppb to ppm)
Tetraconazole: 13 ppb = 0.013 mg/kg

Novaluron: 19 ppb = 0.019 mg/kg

Indoxacarb: 25 ppb = 0.025 mg/kg

Fluxapyroxad: 26 ppb = 0.026 mg/kg

Flupyradifurone: 27 ppb = 0.027 mg/kg

Pyrimethanil: 310 ppb = 0.310 mg/kg

Flonicamid (sum): 32 ppb = 0.032 mg/kg

TFNG: 35 ppb = 0.035 mg/kg

Quinoxyfen: 45 ppb = 0.045 mg/kg

Fludioxonil: 60 ppb = 0.060 mg/kg

Cyprodinil: 125 ppb = 0.125 mg/kg


2. Are These Concentrations Dangerous?
Toxicologically, these levels are exceptionally low and generally do not pose an acute or chronic health risk for a consumer.

Pesticide safety is determined by comparing human dietary exposure against health-based guidance values like the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and Acute Reference Dose (ARfD), established through rigorous toxicological testing. At the double-digit and low triple-digit ppb range (fractions of a milligram per kilogram), a person would typically have to consume thousands of kilograms of the food matrix daily to approach a dose that causes adverse health effects.


[Edited on 8-30-2026 by SFandH]

mtgoat666 - 8-30-2026 at 09:38 AM

Sfh,
I avoid microplastics, pesticides, herbicides, PFAS, etc….
A lifetime of low level exposure is unlikely to be good for you, given the link of higher short term exposures connected to chronic health problems…

Tres Agaves....Organic Tequilla

AKgringo - 8-30-2026 at 09:59 AM

Can an addictive substance can now be considered 'Health food"?; https://www.safeway.com/shop/pd/tres-agaves-organic-blanco-t...

Which will kill you faster, herbicides, or alcohol?

SFandH - 8-30-2026 at 11:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Can an addictive substance can now be considered 'Health food"?; https://www.safeway.com/shop/pd/tres-agaves-organic-blanco-t...

Which will kill you faster, herbicides, or alcohol?


Sorry, but I think the answer is alcohol. But for sure, organic tequila is the way to go. Why take chances? Salud!

I wonder about my go to joy juice, Cabrito.

Don Jorge - 8-30-2026 at 11:29 AM

INHO as a vegetable, fruit and cattle grower over a 50 year career in California, Baja California and Pompano country the real issue is not the safety of consumption.
The real problem is the exposure of one's employees to chemicals on a daily constant level.

When I first started out growing we grew sweet corn, lots of sweet corn. We sprayed it every 3 days for 2 weeks straight during silking with Metomyl. Soon California required pesticide applicators be tissue tested for residual metomyl. I was the appicator. After actually researching what I was applying i began the transition to certified organic production and never looked back.

I would never eat any strawberries grown in Baja, organic or otherwise. I do not believe the certification of organic production is Mexico is proof it is. Way too easy to cheat the system.

There is not a single third-party organic compliance certifying agency which is willing to or allowed to make unannounced inspections in Mexico. We used to get them every year in California as we were safe, easy to approach and they could check the box they did it.

No doubt there are honest organic growers in Mexico but which label do they grow under and which berries are theirs? Plus, berries must be picked red ripe and varieties with flavor used to get the real strawberry flavor. Not in Baja will you find those.

Buy from you local grower at farmers markets or roadside!!

Tioloco - 8-30-2026 at 12:25 PM

Organic pesticides are not safer than synthetic ones, as safety depends on the specific chemical, how much is used and how it is applied. While organic pesticides come from natural sources like plants and minerals natural does not automatically mean harmless. Application rates vary between organic and synthetic pesticides. Organic pesticides often require more frequent and heavier dosing to work, while synthetic pesticides are highly effective in much smaller, targeted amounts.

But in all reality, worrying about a few strawberries in Baja being dangerous is a bit over the top. Meanwhile, it's Sunday afternoon and the cantina should be in full swing.

Paz y amor amigos

Biznaga - 8-30-2026 at 03:04 PM

This might be the YouTube video about Driscoll's operations, which includes a segment on their Baja farms that "SFandH" mentioned above. It's about 15 minutes long. If you purchase or eat any berries, I highly recommend you watch it;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyG-np0S0ZQ

Disfruta mis amigos!

surfhat - 8-30-2026 at 03:11 PM

I recall back in the days when camping at Punta Pescadero and one of

our favorite fellow surfers grew organic strawberries just up the arroyo

from the beach.

We would buy flats of fresh strawberries and go to town, figuratively

speaking, with our own strawberry smoothies every day. Those old

12v blenders were a godsend.


Thank you Ross. Your hospitality went far beyond providing us

campers with an organic source of local delights.


Was I mistaken to think they were truly organic 45 plus years ago?


At the time there was no doubt. I refuse to believe Ross was not

doing everything he could to provide a healthier alternative to the

commercial strawberry options at the time.


Thank you Ross and Claudia for those magical days of camping

before any campgrounds came into being and providing us who were

roughing it with something so special as a clean source for

organically grown produce just up the arroyo.

Don Jorge - 8-30-2026 at 08:28 PM

Surfhat. Nope, they were organic if Ross grew them. One of the original trustarfarians had orchards in the Rincon Mesa area as a grower when I met him in the late 70s or early 80s in Santa Barbara...

Back then Baja surf spots were beginning to become popular with trustafarians and sailing import export types. Now those places they developed are just that, developed.

surabi - 8-30-2026 at 11:18 PM

When I visited my daughter in Todos Santos, we had to walk down a road through a local farm to get to her favorite beach spot. They used so much pesticides that we had to cover our faces with our shirts to try to mitigate breathing it in (you could easily smell it).
The farm owner had told her that his father and uncle, who used to work the farm, had both died of pancreatic cancer. But they were still using those toxic sprays.