COM 0212.189 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

s y Chairman James Arakaki April 23, 1997 Page 2 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. Hawaii fruits treated in Chicago ha~~been marketed 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. 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. The challenge for Hawaii is production and the resolve to secure a position in a market now opened to its growers. The development of a comprehensive post harvest treatment facility in Hawaii will greatly benefit agriculture and the