USDA REQUIRES IRRADIATION FOR HAWAII PRODUCE BOUND FOR U.S. MAINLAND

USDA REQUIRES IRRADIATION FOR HAWAII PRODUCE BOUND FOR U.S. MAINLAND    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow certain Hawaiian produce to enter the U.S. mainland after irradiation treatment.
   The regulation, effective Feb. 5, applies to bell peppers, eggplant, mangoes, pineapple, Italian squash, and tomatoes. Irradiation treatments may be done either in Hawaii or in areas of the U.S. mainland where tropical fruit flies are not likely to become established.
   “This action relieves restrictions on the movement of these fruits and vegetables from Hawaii while continuing to provide protection against the spread of plant pests from Hawaii to other parts of the United States,” APHIS said.
   The regulation also requires these Hawaii-grown fruits and vegetables to meet certain additional requirements, such as packaging.