COM 0212.334 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chairman James Arakaki May 7, 1997 Page 2 Will consumers accept tropical fruit grown in Hawaii which has been treated with irradiation to meeting quarantine requirements? The answer is yes. Over the past two years, Hawaii growers have made 34 shipments of tropical fruit to Chicago for quarantine treatment at the Isomedix gamma irradiation facility in Morton Grove, Illinois. The individual shipments have consisted of LD3 containers, one to three containers per shipment, transporting a variety of products, including, papaya, rambutan, star fruit, atemoya, lychee, mango, avocado, orange and others. The shipments have been made under USDA authorization for growers in Hawaii to evaluate the feasibility of irradiation as a quarantine treatment for Hawaii grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ionizing irradiation treatment of fresh fruits and vegetables for delayed maturation and insect disinfestation in 1986. Prior to the rule approval, FDA approved irradiation treatment of wheat and pork and more recently chicken, for insect, parasite, and microbial pathogen disinfestation. Irradiation treatment of food for purposes defined under the authorizing rules have been determined to be safe by FDA. This determination by FDA has been endorsed by numerous reputable regulatory, scientific and professional organization in the U.S. and worldwide. Fruit treated by irradiation have been distributed to wholesale and retail markets in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Florida, Texas, California and Washington with excellent consumer acceptance. The test shipments have provided growers and the State Department of Agriculture with practical experience moving fruit to a commercial irradiator for quarantine treatment and information on retailer and consumer acceptance of irradiated fresh produce. The treatment of fruit in Hawaii prior to shipment is by far the preferred option for Hawaii growers because of the high costs of transportation moving fruit to mainland markets with treatment at destination. The demand for high quality exotic fruit from Hawaii exceeds the supply and it is that quality that we are selling. The experience to date clearly demonstrates that retailers and consumers, alike, are not adverse to food irradiation as repeatedly suggested by special interest groups, instead recognize the safety of food irradiation and the wholesomeness of food treated by irradiation.