USDA RULES WOULD ALLOW IRRADIATION OF FRUIT, VEGETABLE IMPORTS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has published additional changes to its proposed rule to allow irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for fruits and vegetables imported into the United States.
Irradiation would help control species of fruit flies and the mango seed weevil in imported produce. “Irradiation would provide an alternative to current control methods, such as fumigation and cold and heat treatments,” APHIS said.
The proposed rule will also require the use of radiation indicators on packaging or irradiated fruits and vegetables and require additional inspection and monitoring of overseas irradiation facilities.