Thai fruits ready for US shelves BYLINE: The Nation (Thailand) May 19, 2003, Monday Use of irradiation technology, anti-pest measures has convinced trade partners local products safe and of good quality Exotic Thai fruits now have the potential to go on grocery shelves in the United States, following the implementation of techniques to ensure their quality and freedom from pests. Local fruit exporters have applied the internationally recognised technology of food irradiation, together with stringent pest risk-assessment methods, to crosscheck quality inspections by Thai authorities, Kantathi Suphamongkhon, a trade representative and special envoy of the prime minister, told reporters recently. On his return from the First World Congress on Food Irradiation held in Chicago on May 5, Kantathi said the congress had led to "a wider acceptance and application of food irradiation as a measure to ensure microbiological safety of food and to facilitate food trade worldwide". "We've shown to the congress that Thai fruits are ready for export markets as they are subjected to safe, innovative irradiation technology to preserve them and maintain their quality," he said. Imports of Thai fruits had been barred by the US and other markets because they were proven to harbour harmful insects. But now, five fruits - mangosteen, rambutan, longan, pineapple and guava - have gone through an official pest risk assessment (PRA) to ensure safety at local ports before embarkation, he added. In a meeting between Thai and senior American trade representatives, ways were discussed to recognise the Thai PRA. Kantathi said he laid a proposal on the table to establish a mutual recognition arrangement that adopted a harmonised system of quality checks and screening measures exercised by Thai authorities, which was warmly welcomed by the US side. Food irradiation is a treatment of foods by exposing them in a special chamber to ionising radiating methods using gamma or X-rays to sterilise or preserve them. Irradiation aims to kill harmful bacteria, extend the shelf life of fresh and chilled food products, and destroy insect eggs or larvae that may come with fresh fruits or vegetables. The rays work to inhibit the sprouting of potatoes and to inactivate bacteria in spices and dried food ingredients. During the three-day congress, trade representatives from other countries discussed issues such as the global status of regulations on food irradiation as a sanitary and phytosanitary treatment for food, retail experiences in marketing irradiated beef, marketing irradiated food in the fast-food chain, and marketing of irradiated tropical fruits from Hawaii. Kantathi joined the panel discussion on international trade prospects and spoke on the subject of the potential role of irradiation in expanding trade in Thai fruits. Montira Narkvichien