HOT WATER DIP TREATMENT TO COVER LARGER IMPORTED MANGOES

HOT WATER DIP TREATMENT TO COVER LARGER IMPORTED MANGOES    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to amend its rules for hot water dip treatment to include larger varieties of imported mangoes.
   The agency’s hot water dip treatment rules currently cover rounded varieties of mangoes up to 700 grams. The proposed rule would set hot water dip treatment levels for mangoes of up to 900 grams, which are increasingly desired from Mexico and Central America.
   Hot water dip treatments are needed to prevent the spread of the destructive Medfly and other produce-eating pests in the United States.
   “We also proposed to make other changes to the treatment, including the extension of the treatment time if the mangoes are to be hydrocooled within 30 minutes of the treatment,” APHIS said.
   APHIS said it would take comments from the industry about the proposed rule through Feb. 18. For more information, contact Dr. Inder P. Gadh, import specialist for the APHIS Phytosanitary Issues Management Team, at (301) 734-6799