AUS/508
WTO/SPS
AU Australia
  • 08 - Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons
2021-01-10
2020-11-03

Fresh fruit and vegetables for sale in Australia/ New Zealand where irradiation has been used as a phytosanitary measure (both imported and domestically produced).

Call for Submissions for Application A1193 - Irradiation as a phytosanitary measure for all fresh fruit and vegetables. Language(s): English. Number of pages: 26

FSANZ has received an application seeking a variation to Standard 1.5.3 Irradiation of Food of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), to permit the irradiation of all fresh fruit and vegetables as a phytosanitary measure to ensure freedom from regulated pests. Currently, the Code permits the irradiation of 26 fruits and vegetables for this purpose.

If approved, the permission will replace these existing permissions with a generic permission for all fresh fruits and vegetables. The minimum and maximum absorbed doses of 150 Gy and 1 kGy will remain the same as the existing permission. If permitted, this form of treatment can be used as a phytosanitary measure for fresh produce exported to another Australian state, territory or region, or to New Zealand.

It can also be used for imports into both countries requiring a phytosanitary treatment and thus help provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests, with proven effectiveness against fruit flies and most insects.