United States approves new treatment for Peruvian blueberries

14/03/2018

The United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) authorized the use of irradiation in facilities in the United States as an alternative treatment for blueberries imported from Peru.

This fruit has access to the US market but the health authority requires that the blueberries are subjected to cold treatment or fumigated with methyl bromide in order to mitigate the fruit flies Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata.

It should be noted that, according to APHIS, there are no other quarantine pests that are of concern to the arandanera industry.

The regulations of the health authority authorize irradiation as a treatment for all imported fruits and vegetables when the APHIS Treatment Manual specifies a dose that neutralizes the pests of concern for this type of product.

Source: Fruit Portal