Australia | Call for comment on irradiation of fruits and vegetables

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is calling for comment on an application to irradiate fresh fruit and vegetables.

FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has applied for permission to irradiate fresh fruit and vegetables as a way to stop the spread of pests like fruit fly when food is moved across quarantine borders.

“Fruit fly is an ongoing threat to the horticulture industry, both here in Australia, New Zealand and internationally.

“Australian quarantine laws mean food produced in an area where there are known pests, must be treated before they can be sent internationally or to states or territories that have quarantine restrictions.