FSANZ Issues Notice on Food Irradiation as a Phytosanitary Measure

On October 30,2020, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has received an application from the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD DAF) to permit “Irradiation as a phytosanitary measure (i.e. pest disinfestation) for all types of fresh fruit and vegetables”.

The scope of the draft document is to extend the current permissions in place for 26 fruits and vegetables in Standard 1.5.3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Other key elements:

• The same dose range, 150 Gray (Gy) to 1 kiloGray (kGy), and conditions (including mandatory labelling) as currently prescribed for permitted fruit and vegetables in the Code would apply.
• Impact on the nutrient intake of Australians and New Zealanders, as a result of potential changes to nutrient levels in fresh produce post-irradiation.
• Toxicological assessment on the basis of evidence shows no safety concerns associated with the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables that have been irradiated with doses of up to 1 kGy
• The proposed permission excludes dried pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds.

The consultation period is valid until December 11, 2020.