Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleges Driscoll's Berries Exceeded Canadian Pesticide Limits
A former employee alleges that roughly half of California-based Driscoll's berry exports to Canada between 2022 and 2024 contained pesticide levels exceeding Canadian Food Inspection Agency standards. The company denies knowingly shipping unsafe products and says it has amended its controls.
A whistleblower lawsuit filed by David Harada, a former employee of California-based berry company Driscoll's, alleges that approximately half of the company's exports to Canada between 2022 and 2024 contained pesticide levels exceeding Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards. According to the lawsuit, millions of pounds of berries with chemical levels above CFIA guidelines were imported during that period.
The CFIA confirmed that higher-than-permissible levels of pesticides were found on Driscoll's berries. The three chemicals identified on the fruit were bifenthrin, iprodione, and captan.
Despite the findings, experts say the acute health risks for consumers remain low. Environmental toxicologist Daniel Green stated that a person would likely need to eat approximately 19 kilograms of berries in a short period to feel adverse effects from the chemical residue. Experts also noted that pesticide residues degrade over time, though washing soft berries to remove them is difficult.
Driscoll's has denied knowingly shipping any product believed to be unsafe. The company stated that it amended its controls to comply with Canadian standards.
The allegations have prompted broader conversations about the chemicals used on produce and raised potential consumer concerns regarding food safety. The company is also navigating other legal challenges. Earlier this year, six plaintiffs filed a separate class-action lawsuit against Driscoll's, accusing the company of consumer fraud and deceptive practices regarding PFAS levels on strawberries.