Food Irradiation Update is published by the Minnesota Beef Council

Quotable Quotes:
“Egypt’s agriculture ministry last year reported that 40 per cent of its total foodstuffs, including 60 per cent of its wheat, the country’s staple food, were imported. Egypt, formerly one of the world’s breadbaskets, is now humiliated by being one of the world’s largest food importers.

Higher grain prices forced the government in 2010 to expand the number of people eligible for food ration cards. It also extended ration cards to rice and sugar. The Egyptian government also announced that 50 per cent of its wheat supply had been discarded because of insect infestation. Such a government must face serious questions of competence."
Vincent J. Truglia,
Managing Director of Global Economic Research,
Granite Springs Asset Management,
New York, NY, US
Note from Food Irradiation Update editor: The most effective method to prevent insect infestation is to use irradiation to eliminate eggs and larvae that destroy much of the grain crop in many developing countries. Once the grain has been irradiated it is necessary to properly store it to prevent re-infestation. RFE

"Since the beginning of this year we have received many orders from the US and have delivered 11 shipments, including eight by air. This time last year, there was no order made”. Improved quality of the exported fruit is the most important factor that has helped boost the sales of the dragon fruit to the US."
Experts forecast that dragon fruit exports to the US, Japan and South Korea will amount to 2,600 tons this year, doubling that in 2010. An Phu Irradiation Joint Stock Company (API) said it has fulfilled many orders for dragon fruit placed by US companies.
Vuong Dinh Khoat, An Phu Irradiation Director

“Pakistani mangoes are a symbol of Pakistani pride, so to export those is a symbol of Pakistan reaching out to the world.”
Zachary Orend, USAID economic growth adviser in Pakistan.

Pakistan produces the third-largest crop of mangoes in the world, growing more than 1.5 million tons annually. Pakistan’s mango exports reached their highest levels ever in 2010, according to a U.S. Embassy Islamabad press release.

In This Update:
Troubles in Egypt are about food, not politics
Jr. Texas Taffy Dog Treats Recalled Over Salmonella Fears
Irradiation may reduce acrylamide formation in potato chips
Quality of Irradiated Vietnam dragon fruit to lift sales & Support Economy
USDA reviews pest risk for South African lychee
Irradiated Pakistani Mangoes Set to Sweeten U.S. Markets
IMRP 2011: Global Conference on Food Irradiation
Case studies in novel food processing technologies
Pet food recalls on the rise, which is bad for you, bad for your pet

Important Food Safety Links:

Kansas State University

Marler Blog

Food Irradiation Processing Alliance (FIPA)
International Irradiation Association (iiA)

Most commentators have missed the real reason behind the protests in Egypt and elsewhere. It is not simply a sudden desire for reform. Rather, the key problem is the price of food. There are two vexing problems for the Egyptian government: first, a rising population of about 80m; and second, declining per capita domestic food production.

Food riots occurred in 1977 and in 2008. The government was lucky because it could deal with the problem in a straightforward fashion.
Egypt’s agriculture ministry last year reported that 40 per cent of its total foodstuffs, including 60 per cent of its wheat, the country’s staple food, were imported. Egypt, formerly one of the world’s breadbaskets, is now humiliated by being one of the world’s largest food importers.
Higher grain prices forced the government in 2010 to expand the number of people eligible for food ration cards. It also extended ration cards to rice and sugar. The Egyptian government also announced that 50 per cent of its wheat supply had been discarded because of insect infestation. Such a government must face serious questions of competence.
Read more.....
Vincent Truglia's interview on Egyptian food shortages

Merrick Pet Care recalled its Jr. Texas Taffy dog treats sold nationwide in stores, including Petco and Agway, because they may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Tags: Dog Treat Recall; Salmonella.
Related Article:
Pet food recalls on the rise, which is bad for you, bad for your pet
Read more...

Nguyen Huu Dat, director of the Post-Import Plant Quarantine Centre No 2, said fruits shipped to the US must have the growing area code and packing code and be irradiated. Rambutan could be a better choice for export to the US than dragon fruit since Vietnam has experience in exporting it and irradiation facilities, he added.

Additional articles on irradiated Vietnam dragon fruit
Dragon fruit to improve Vietnam economy
Vietnam fruit exporters to enjoy takeoff

NEW YORK: Americans are in for a treat. In spring 2011, Pakistan will soon send stateside the world’s sweetest mango — validated by universal scientific sweetness measurements — sure to delight even the most discerning of palates.

The first Pakistani mangoes will arrive by air at an irradiation treatment center in Iowa. After treatment, the produce will be shipped to cities with large Pakistani-American populations. USDA and USAID hope to establish weekly air shipments of a little more than one ton of mangoes, Orend said.
Additional articles:
Pakistan Government looking to boost mango export in international market
Questions & Answers About Importing Irradiated Mangoes from Pakistan to the United States

MONTREAL: Montreal Welcomes the World. Industry leaders and scientific experts from around the world will gather at IMRP Montreal 2011-the 16th global forum of the international radiation processing community-to discuss, debate and discover the latest in industrial electron beam, x-ray and gamma ray technology. From 13th to the 16th June 2011 the four-star Hilton Montréal Bonaventure-perched above Place Bonaventure in the heart of Montreal-will play host to IMRP. Participants will enjoy Montreal's blend of Old World-style charm and North American vitality. Recognized the world over for its excellent university research base and advancement in food irradiation, healthcare and life sciences, the city was a natural choice for IMRP 2011.Learn more here....

“Case studies in novel food processing technologies: Innovations in processing, packaging, and predictive modelling” is now available from wholesalers, retailers, and online suppliers in North America. This is the latest book with updates on developments in food irradiation. The book will be a great addition to your library. Learn more here:
Brochure
Contact:
Woodhead Publishing
1518 Walnut Street
Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-928-9112

With food poisoning on center stage recently, from E.coli at Taco Bell to salmonella at Subway, the latest trend in bacteria-carrying edibles has been in pet food that can sicken anyone who handles it -- and pets, too. Dry pet food has been a particular problem.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration attributes the rise in pet food recalls, including a major recall by Procter & Gamble's Iams and Eukanuba brands, to better reporting and better follow-through by the agency..

Tags: Pet food recalls.

Food Irradiation: A Guide for Consumers, Policy Makers and the Media;
Grocery Manufacturers of America publication; Down load at: http://www.gmaonline.org/downloads/research-and-reports/SPP_Irradiation5.pdf