Food Irradiation Update is published by the Minnesota Beef Council

Quoteable Quotes:
“The big debate in the mango industry has been the flavor issue and that has been driven by varieties that could withstand the hot-water treatment process. Countries like India and Pakistan have irradiation facilities, Vietnam is shipping using electronic irradiation and Hawaii ships to the U.S. with irradiation. Now the consumer can focus on flavor instead of varieties that can withstand hot water treatment.”
Will Cavan, executive director, International Mango Organization.

In This Update:
Irradiated mangoes from Pakistan expected in May
Comments sought on irradiation of persimmons
Successful tech transfer leads to more Hawaiian exports
Christopher Ranch shipping irradiated Hawaiian sweet potatoes
IMRP 2011: Global Conference on Food Irradiation
Case studies in novel food processing technologies
Creekstone recalls ground beef in ten states because of E. coli concerns

Important Food Safety Links:

Kansas State University

Marler Blog

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

First shipments of irradiated mangoes from Pakistan should arrive in May and June, and one leading mango industry source said he expects the fruit will score (well) in the flavor department. “The big debate in the mango industry has been the flavor issue and that has been driven by varieties that could withstand the hot-water treatment process,” said Will Cavan, executive director of Vista, Calif.-based International Mango Organization.

Cavan said the International Mango Organization is composed of mango marketers who have been seeking access to the U.S. market, including growers from South Africa, India and Pakistan. “Countries like India and Pakistan have irradiation facilities, Vietnam is shipping using electronic irradiation and Hawaii ships to the U.S. with irradiation,” he said. “Now the consumer can focus on flavor instead of varieties that can withstand hot water treatment.” Irradiated mangoes (Read more here)....
Related story:
Pakistani Mangoes Set to Sweeten U.S. Markets

Changes involving the irradiation of persimmons and the use of low THC hemp for food are being considered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ today announced a period of public comment on two requests for changes to theAustralia New Zealand Food Standards Code- the regulations governing the sale of food sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCutcheon, said FSANZ's responsibility was to ensure that irradiated persimmons and the use of hemp in food should be safe for consumers. "FSANZ welcomes comments from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on issues raised in a consultation paper for the hemp application and on an assessment report on persimmon irradiation," Mr McCutcheon said. Persimmon Irradiation (Read more here).....
USDA APHIS Document

Successful tech transfer leads to more Hawaiian exports; Fresh Plaza (February 28, 2011):

Delicious tropical fruits and vegetables such as papaya, rambutan, longan, dragon fruit and purple-fleshed sweet potato are gaining popularity in the continental United States. But just five years ago, it would have been difficult to find these tropical delicacies in grocery stores. That's because strict quarantine restrictions and phytosanitary measures are in place to ensure agricultural pests like fruit flies don't invade the mainland. Entomologist Peter Follett and food technologist Marisa Wall, both with the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI, were the first to apply generic irradiation protocols to control a wide variety of quarantine insect pests found on fresh commodities. ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency of the USDA, and this research supports the USDA priority of promoting international food security. Irradiated fruit from Hawaii ( Read more here).....
Related Stories:
Hilo, Hawaii Scientists Awarded for Irradiation Technology
Research helps Hawaii fruit exports

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:
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Creekstone Farms Premium Beef recalled 14,158 pounds of ground beef because it may be tainted with the e. coli bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said. E. Coli Concerns (Read more here).

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