USDA PROPOSES IRRADIATION FOR HAWAIIAN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed new regulations to allow certain fruits and vegetables from Hawaii into the U.S. mainland if they have undergone irradiation treatment.
If approved, the irradiation would cover shipments of Hawaiian-grown bell peppers, eggplants, mangoes, pineapples (other than smooth Cayenne), Italian squash and tomatoes.
The USDA said treatment could be either conducted in Hawaii or in non-fruit-fly areas of the U.S. mainland. The fruits and vegetables would also have to meet certain additional requirements, such as treatment indicators on packaging.