Phytosanitary Treatments for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: The Irradiation Option 2011 AUSVEG Convention Brisbane, April, 2011 Speaker Session Peter B Roberts Peter B Roberts Radiation Advisory Services Lower Hutt, New Zealand

This Presentation – Why Now? Interstate Certification Assurance National Protocol (ICA-55) A protocol for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for fresh fruits and vegetables within Australia Possibility that use of dimethoate and fenthion will be further restricted or revoked

This Presentation Irradiation as an industrial process Irradiation as an industrial process Food irradiation in brief Food irradiation in brief An assessment of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment An assessment of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment Trade in irradiated fruits Trade in irradiated fruits The future The future

Irradiation The major uses of irradiation are for non-food applications The major uses of irradiation are for non-food applications to sterilise medical products to sterilise medical products over 50% of single-use medical products are irradiated over 50% of single-use medical products are irradiated to cross-link polymers to cross-link polymers to sterilise imported items that may harbour human or plant pathogens, as required by AQIS to sterilise imported items that may harbour human or plant pathogens, as required by AQIS These applications have been used since the 1950s These applications have been used since the 1950s The techniques are very well understood The techniques are very well understood

Food Irradiation A physical process, like heating, cooling, drying, canning and pasteurization A physical process, like heating, cooling, drying, canning and pasteurization It uses high energy ionising radiation from gamma-rays, x- rays or an electron beam It uses high energy ionising radiation from gamma-rays, x- rays or an electron beam Gamma rays are produced by a radioactive isotope, usually cobalt- 60 Gamma rays are produced by a radioactive isotope, usually cobalt- 60 An electron beam is produced by an electrical machine (an accelerator). Electrons can be converted into X-rays An electron beam is produced by an electrical machine (an accelerator). Electrons can be converted into X-rays No radiation is produced while the accelerator is switched off No radiation is produced while the accelerator is switched off Gamma and x-rays are very penetrating (pallet-sized loads) Gamma and x-rays are very penetrating (pallet-sized loads) Electrons penetrate packages a few centimetres thick Electrons penetrate packages a few centimetres thick

Food Ionising Radiation Radiation Source Cobalt-60 Caesium-137 Electron beam ≤ 5MeV X-ray ≤ 10 MeV The Process The food is carried through the radiation beam on a conveyer Hint – think microwaves

Key Facts Irradiation with the approved radiation sources cannot make food radioactive Irradiation with the approved radiation sources cannot make food radioactive The energy absorbed in the food brings about changes in the chemicals present in the food or its contaminants The energy absorbed in the food brings about changes in the chemicals present in the food or its contaminants The “amount” of radiation absorbed by the food is the DOSE. Dose is measured in Gray (Gy). 1 Gy = 1 Joule absorbed per kg food. 1 kGy = 1000 Gy

The Chemical Changes All food processing technologies cause some change to the food. All food processing technologies cause some change to the food. At low doses changes in hormone levels can occur (effects on ripening and maturation) At low doses changes in hormone levels can occur (effects on ripening and maturation) At higher doses, changes to the DNA of living cells can cause sterility or death At higher doses, changes to the DNA of living cells can cause sterility or death Like all processing technologies, some changes to food ‘structure’ and its constituents can occur Like all processing technologies, some changes to food ‘structure’ and its constituents can occur The trick is to ensure benefits occur at lower doses than detrimental effects The trick is to ensure benefits occur at lower doses than detrimental effects

Applications Improving food safety Improving food safety Food free of disease-causing pathogens Food free of disease-causing pathogens E Coli 0157:H7: campylobacter, salmonella, listeria E Coli 0157:H7: campylobacter, salmonella, listeria Reducing food wastage Reducing food wastage Control maturation, inhibit sprouting, reduce storage decay Control maturation, inhibit sprouting, reduce storage decay Assisting international trade Assisting international trade Phytosanitary use, insect disinfestation for quarantine purposes Phytosanitary use, insect disinfestation for quarantine purposes

Food Irradiation is - Versatile (more applications than other processes) Versatile (more applications than other processes) Well-researched Well-researched Suitable for most foods; benefits occur at lower doses than loss of quality Suitable for most foods; benefits occur at lower doses than loss of quality Foods that auto-oxidize easily and which tend to go rancid naturally are usually unsuitable ( avocados, oily fish, many dairy products) Foods that auto-oxidize easily and which tend to go rancid naturally are usually unsuitable ( avocados, oily fish, many dairy products) BUT - BUT - It is used to a very limited extent – why? It is used to a very limited extent – why? Between 500,000 to 1,000,000 tonnes irradiated per year Between 500,000 to 1,000,000 tonnes irradiated per year

A Barrier to Food Irradiation - Conventional wisdom says that consumers are scared of a technology associated with radiation Conventional wisdom says that consumers are scared of a technology associated with radiation The retail trade is very cautious because they fear consumer reaction The retail trade is very cautious because they fear consumer reaction Food producers are very cautious because they can’t see a market Food producers are very cautious because they can’t see a market No-one wants to be involved in an “information” campaign No-one wants to be involved in an “information” campaign But is conventional wisdom right ????

Irradiation – A Phytosanitary Treatment for International Trade The irradiation dose used is usually 150 – 400 Gy The irradiation dose used is usually 150 – 400 Gy Such doses have a minimal effect on the quality of most fruits and vegetables Such doses have a minimal effect on the quality of most fruits and vegetables Given proper treatment from harvest to retail, product quality is usually higher than competing treatments Given proper treatment from harvest to retail, product quality is usually higher than competing treatments The end point for quarantine control is loss of ability to emerge from larval stage or adults incapable of reproduction; the insects are sterile The end point for quarantine control is loss of ability to emerge from larval stage or adults incapable of reproduction; the insects are sterile Doses that guarantee to kill ALL insects quickly are too high for most fruits to withstand without loss of quality Doses that guarantee to kill ALL insects quickly are too high for most fruits to withstand without loss of quality

Irradiation Advantages It is a broad spectrum treatment (all insects, all host produce) It is a broad spectrum treatment (all insects, all host produce) It is free of toxic chemical residues It is free of toxic chemical residues It is a cold treatment (no heating means fruit can be more mature at harvest and often results in better fruit quality and shelf-life) It is a cold treatment (no heating means fruit can be more mature at harvest and often results in better fruit quality and shelf-life) It is penetrating (treatment in the final package; fruit size and shape are unimportant) It is penetrating (treatment in the final package; fruit size and shape are unimportant)

Irradiation Advantages It is rapid (approximately an hour) It is rapid (approximately an hour) Treated produce can be released into trade immediately Treated produce can be released into trade immediately It is simple, depending only on conveyer speed and source power to set the dose. It is insensitive to temperature, humidity, pressure, etc It is simple, depending only on conveyer speed and source power to set the dose. It is insensitive to temperature, humidity, pressure, etc It is cost competitive It is cost competitive

Regulatory issues Before irradiated fruits and vegetables can be imported, two regulatory tests must be met Before irradiated fruits and vegetables can be imported, two regulatory tests must be met The national health authority must approve its use as a safe process for food The national health authority must approve its use as a safe process for food Biosecurity authorities in the exporting and importing countries must agree an irradiation protocol that will manage the pests of concern Biosecurity authorities in the exporting and importing countries must agree an irradiation protocol that will manage the pests of concern

Is Irradiated Food Safe to Eat? YES The evidence is overwhelmingly that irradiated food is toxicologically safe, and presents no special nutritional or microbiological problems The evidence is overwhelmingly that irradiated food is toxicologically safe, and presents no special nutritional or microbiological problems Codex Alimentarius issued a General Standard for Irradiated Food (1983, revised 2003). Codex Alimentarius issued a General Standard for Irradiated Food (1983, revised 2003). Any food irradiated up to an overall average dose of 10 kGy is safe and wholesome. Any food irradiated up to an overall average dose of 10 kGy is safe and wholesome. Note phytosanitary use has a maximum dose of 1 kGy Note phytosanitary use has a maximum dose of 1 kGy

An Agreed Protocol for Irradiation as a Phytosanitary Treatment? YES The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has issued ISPM 18, Guidelines for the Use of Irradiation as a Phytosanitary Treatment (2003) The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has issued ISPM 18, Guidelines for the Use of Irradiation as a Phytosanitary Treatment (2003) ISPM 28 (2009) has recommended that 150 Gy be regarded as the generic dose to ensure sterility of all Tephritid fruit fly on all hosts ISPM 28 (2009) has recommended that 150 Gy be regarded as the generic dose to ensure sterility of all Tephritid fruit fly on all hosts The USDAS-APHIS accepts 400 Gy as a generic dose to deal with all insect species (except Lepidoptera) on all hosts The USDAS-APHIS accepts 400 Gy as a generic dose to deal with all insect species (except Lepidoptera) on all hosts

International Approvals - Health 23 countries have approved irradiation up to 1 kGy for all fruit and vegetables 23 countries have approved irradiation up to 1 kGy for all fruit and vegetables 12 countries have approved irradiation up to 1 kGy for specified fruits and vegetables 12 countries have approved irradiation up to 1 kGy for specified fruits and vegetables 28 countries have approved irradiation as a disinfestation treatment 28 countries have approved irradiation as a disinfestation treatment 7 other approvals are for delay of ripening or maturation control 7 other approvals are for delay of ripening or maturation control

Approvals in Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Australia New Zealand is a joint standard setting body Food Standards Australia New Zealand is a joint standard setting body It approved Standard for the Irradiation of Food in 1999 It approved Standard for the Irradiation of Food in 1999 Under the Standard applications must be made for specified foods and uses Under the Standard applications must be made for specified foods and uses A maximum dose of 1 kGy may be used for insect disinfestation of 9 fruits A maximum dose of 1 kGy may be used for insect disinfestation of 9 fruits Breadfruit, carambola, custard apple, longan, litchi, mango, mangosteen, papaya, rambutan Breadfruit, carambola, custard apple, longan, litchi, mango, mangosteen, papaya, rambutan

Trade in Irradiated Fruits In 2004, New Zealand became the first country to accept and import irradiated fruit from another country (Australian mango) In 2004, New Zealand became the first country to accept and import irradiated fruit from another country (Australian mango) Before shipments proceeded Biosecurity NZ - Before shipments proceeded Biosecurity NZ - checked that mango irradiation was permitted under FSANZ Standard checked that mango irradiation was permitted under FSANZ Standard completed a thorough pest risk assessment and a study of management options for the pest of concern, with irradiation as the primary option completed a thorough pest risk assessment and a study of management options for the pest of concern, with irradiation as the primary option issued an Import Health Standard under MAFBNZ standard (Biosecurity Act 1993) issued an Import Health Standard under MAFBNZ standard (Biosecurity Act 1993)

Trade in Irradiated Fruits The USA established trade between Hawaii and the continental USA in papaya from 1995 and later in sweet potato and a few other fruits. The USA established trade between Hawaii and the continental USA in papaya from 1995 and later in sweet potato and a few other fruits. Today about 4,500 tons of irradiated fruit is traded between Hawaii and the mainland Today about 4,500 tons of irradiated fruit is traded between Hawaii and the mainland Irradiated fruits from Florida are also sent to other US States Irradiated fruits from Florida are also sent to other US States More recently (2007 onwards) the USA has imported several types of irradiated fruit from four developing countries More recently (2007 onwards) the USA has imported several types of irradiated fruit from four developing countries

Irradiated Imports into NZ (tonnes) Mango Papaya Litchi Total

Irradiated Imports into US (tons) CountryFruit IndiaMango Thailand Longan (mainly) VietnamDragonfruit MexicoGuava Grapefruit Mango00239 Sweet Lime Manzano Pepper Total ,163

The Live Insect Issue Irradiation below 1 kGy guarantees insect sterility, not mortality. Irradiation below 1 kGy guarantees insect sterility, not mortality. Not all are killed and a live insect is occasionally found in shipments by the receiving country Not all are killed and a live insect is occasionally found in shipments by the receiving country For other methods, a live insect signals treatment failure and a requirement for rejection or further treatment of the shipment (usually MeBr) For other methods, a live insect signals treatment failure and a requirement for rejection or further treatment of the shipment (usually MeBr)

The Live Insect Issue Occasional live insects have been found in irradiated shipments to NZ Occasional live insects have been found in irradiated shipments to NZ These are managed through a new procedure These are managed through a new procedure The insect is identified The insect is identified If the dose on the phytosanitary certificate is sufficient for sterilisation of the identified insect (refer to a MAF Biosecurity table or the import health standard) then the shipment is cleared for import If the dose on the phytosanitary certificate is sufficient for sterilisation of the identified insect (refer to a MAF Biosecurity table or the import health standard) then the shipment is cleared for import

The Consumer Issue When irradiated mangoes were first introduced into NZ, there was a flurry of protest in cyberspace from ‘anti-irradiation’ activists and supporters of minimal processing of food When irradiated mangoes were first introduced into NZ, there was a flurry of protest in cyberspace from ‘anti-irradiation’ activists and supporters of minimal processing of food This resulted in minor negative publicity in mainstream media This resulted in minor negative publicity in mainstream media The negative publicity soon evaporated The negative publicity soon evaporated Irradiated Australian mangoes are now sold, at a premium, in major supermarkets with volumes increasing Irradiated Australian mangoes are now sold, at a premium, in major supermarkets with volumes increasing

This is the typical experience wherever irradiated food has been introduced This is the typical experience wherever irradiated food has been introduced Consumers will purchase and re-purchase high quality irradiated foods Consumers will purchase and re-purchase high quality irradiated foods

Labeling Some consumers (20%?) will never purchase irradiated foods for a variety of reasons Some consumers (20%?) will never purchase irradiated foods for a variety of reasons FSANZ Standard requires that irradiated foods be labeled in order to ensure these consumers retain their right-to-choose FSANZ Standard requires that irradiated foods be labeled in order to ensure these consumers retain their right-to-choose Labeling of irradiated foods has disarmed much of the criticism of the process. Labeling of irradiated foods has disarmed much of the criticism of the process.

The Future The USA has been actively encouraging developing countries to send irradiated fruits to the USA The USA has been actively encouraging developing countries to send irradiated fruits to the USA The rapid expansion in imports to the USA seems likely to continue The rapid expansion in imports to the USA seems likely to continue As the NZ and US experience is made known, and the familiarity is gained with how to deal with the occasional live insect, trade between other countries is likely to begin As the NZ and US experience is made known, and the familiarity is gained with how to deal with the occasional live insect, trade between other countries is likely to begin

The Future in New Zealand Processes are in place that would allow the expansion of imports of irradiated fruits from countries with a strong national plant protection organisation Processes are in place that would allow the expansion of imports of irradiated fruits from countries with a strong national plant protection organisation The recent experience has been positive for both quarantine officials and retailers The recent experience has been positive for both quarantine officials and retailers Trade is likely to grow, but probably quite slowly, fruit-by-fruit and country–by-country Trade is likely to grow, but probably quite slowly, fruit-by-fruit and country–by-country

The Future in Australia An Interstate Certification Assurance protocol for irradiation as a phytosanitary measure has been approved (ICA-55) An Interstate Certification Assurance protocol for irradiation as a phytosanitary measure has been approved (ICA-55) This would allow irradiation to be used as a replacement for insecticide treatments such as dimethoate and fenthion This would allow irradiation to be used as a replacement for insecticide treatments such as dimethoate and fenthion Methyl bromide should not be seen as a sustainable or safe long term option Methyl bromide should not be seen as a sustainable or safe long term option

The Future in Australia It is probable that irradiation will be trialed for fruit trade between states in the relatively near future It is probable that irradiation will be trialed for fruit trade between states in the relatively near future The stage appears set for an increase in exports using irradiation, initially to NZ but later to other countries (the US is an obvious candidate) The stage appears set for an increase in exports using irradiation, initially to NZ but later to other countries (the US is an obvious candidate) This could include strawberries irradiated to higher doses to achieve substantial increases in shelf-life This could include strawberries irradiated to higher doses to achieve substantial increases in shelf-life Australia may also expect other countries to request access for their irradiated fresh produce Australia may also expect other countries to request access for their irradiated fresh produce

Conclusions (1) 1.Irradiation is a practical, efficient and effective phytosanitary treatment of fresh fruit and vegetables 2.28 countries have approved irradiation of fresh fruits and vegetables for disinfestation purposes 3.International trade to New Zealand in irradiated fruit treated to meet quarantine requirements began in 2004

Conclusions (2) 4. Presently over 13,000 tonnes of irradiated fruits are imported annually into New Zealand and the USA. 5.The trade has grown fairly quickly and appears set to continue to expand 6.Experience has shown that consumer resistance is overestimated and the issue of live insects in occasional shipments can be managed 7.Irradiation offers the prospect of decreasing reliance on toxic insecticide and fumigation treatments

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