They can be big, juicy, sweet and relatively cheap but almost all

[non-organic] store-bought strawberries contain pesticide residues, some from several different chemicals, tests show.

Consumer champion Choice has called for stricter fruit testing and warning shoppers to opt for organic berries in view of results that show widespread and varying pesticide levels.

The analysis of strawberries from 31 growers across most states showed almost all conventionally grown strawberries contained some residues. Three samples had levels above maximum limits set by the watchdog Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Seventeen of the samples had residues from more than one pesticide, and four had traces of four different chemicals in their flesh and on the skin.

AAP NewcastleHerald 30th January 2008