Australian cranberries will undergo irradiation treatment
Blueberry growers in northern New South Wales declined to comment on the recently approved blueberry export irradiation treatment.
However, State Department of Industries research agronomist John Golding, who spearheaded the treatment project, explains that this fifty-year-old technology “has no effect on the quality of the fruit, vitamins, antioxidants or minerals«.
«Some consumer groups opposed this technology«he points out. «There may be some apprehension because the fruit becomes radioactive, but it is not so«.
Dr Golding adds: "A long time ago, there were some problems with irradiated cat food, but it was due to excess doses that no longer exist. «Modern radiation doses are very low«, reassures.
Last week, department officials released a note predicting an increase of 43% in the value of blueberry exports from New South Wales, from 140 million to 200 million dollars in 2016-17, thanks to the changes in quarantine regulations.
Dr. Golding indicates that the United States and New Zealand authorities have already approved similar irradiation techniques for mangoes, and for the export of Australian tomatoes to New Zealand.
It states that the irradiation for 19 Australian crops was approved, but that it was up to the shareholders of the businesses to decide whether or not they wanted to implement it.
Source: Northernstar.com.au
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