A rotten mistake: packing fruit could cost you!
Wednesday 25 June 2025
With the mid-year school holidays just around the corner, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is reminding South Australians that protecting our world-class horticulture industry starts with every traveller doing the right thing.
Whether it’s a quick road trip, a visit to the Riverland, or a return from interstate, holidaymakers are urged to check their bags and eskies for restricted fruit and vegetables before setting off.
Jason Size, General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response Program, said that school holiday travel means an increased risk of inadvertently spreading fruit fly into or across South Australia.
“School holidays mean more cars on the road – and more movement between regions,” Mr Size said.
“Whether you're heading into the Riverland, returning from interstate, or road-tripping around the state, remember to eat it or bin it.”
Random roadblocks and roadside checks will be in operation across key travel routes, with on-the-spot fines issued for anyone caught carrying restricted produce through quarantine zones.
To help travellers do the right thing, quarantine bins are clearly marked at major entry points, regional boundaries, airports, and transport hubs. Importantly, produce should be placed inside the bin – not beside it.
“When we see bins overflowing, it’s usually because people have left fruit beside the bin – not because the bin is full,” Mr Size said.
“These bins are built to handle large volumes so if you're disposing of fruit, make sure it goes inside.”
Restricted items include common favourites such as apples, bananas, citrus, tomatoes, and capsicums – all of which can carry fruit fly larvae or eggs. Visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au/restricted-produce for a full list of restricted items.
Travellers looking for safer snack options can enjoy unrestricted produce like pineapple, watermelon, honeydew, and rockmelon. See fruitfly.sa.gov.au/unrestricted-produce for the full list.
“Disposing of restricted produce before travelling is a small action that makes a big difference,” Mr Size said.
“The more vigilant we are, the better protected our growers, communities, and economy will be.”
For travel advice, quarantine bin locations, and current outbreak updates, visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au.
Fruit fly detections – 16 March to 8 June 2025:
- No fruit flies were detected in 19 of the 56 Riverland outbreak areas.
- Fruit flies were detected in 37 of the 56 Riverland outbreak areas.
Outbreak end dates:
The end dates for all outbreaks are as follows:
- Riverland: 23 December 2025
- Ceduna: 11 November 2025
- Glynde: 6 December 2025
- Salisbury North: 6 December 2025