ASTM F1355

The purpose of radiation treatment, as discussed in this guide, is to minimize the pest risk and to maximize the safety associated with the movement and use of fresh agricultural produce.

Irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment can prevent development or emergence of the adult stage where adults are not present in the agricultural produce (for example, fruit flies) or sterilize the adult where that stage is present (for example, weevils). (4)

1. Scope

1.1 This guide provides procedures for the radiation processing of fresh agricultural produce, for example, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers, as a phytosanitary treatment. This guide is directed primarily toward the treatment needed to control regulated pests commonly associated with fresh agricultural produce.

1.2 The typical absorbed dose range used for phytosanitary treatments is between 150 gray (Gy) and 600 gray (Gy). The practical minimum or maximum dose of a treatment may be higher or lower than this range, depending on the type of pest to be controlled and the radiation tolerance of a particular type of fruit. If the minimum effective dose necessary to achieve the desired phytosanitary effect is greater than the radiation tolerance of the produce, then irradiation is not an appropriate treatment (see ).

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
F1640 Guide for Selection and Use of Packaging Materials for Foods to Be Irradiated
51204 Practice for Dosimetry in Gamma Irradiation Facilities for Food Processing
51261 Guide for the Selection and Calibration of Dosimetry Systems for Radiation Processing
51431 Practice for Dosimetry in Electron and Bremsstrahlung Irradiation Facilities for Food Processing
51539 Guide for Use of Radiation-Sensitive Indicators
CAC/RCP 19-1979, Rev. 2003 Recommended International Code of Practice for the Radiation Processing of Food
CX STAN 1-1985, Rev. 1991, Amd 2001 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods
CX STAN 106-1983, Rev. 2003 General Standard for Irradiated Food
ISO 1134 Pears-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 1212 Apples-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 1838 Fresh Pineapples-Guide to Storage and Transport
ISO 2168 Table Grapes-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 2826 Apricots-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 3631 Citrus Fruits-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 3659 Fruits and Vegetables-Ripening After Cold Storage
ISO 6660 Mangoes-Guide to Storage
ISO 6661 Fresh Fruits and Vegetables-Arrangement of Parallelpipedic Packages in Land Transport Vehicles
ISO 6664 Bilberries and Blueberries-Guide To Cold Storage
ISO 6665 Strawberries-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 6949 Fruits and Vegetables-Principles and Techniques of the Controlled Atmosphere Method of Storage
ISO 7558 Guide to the Prepacking of Fruits and Vegetables
ISO 873 Peaches-Guide to Cold Storage
ISO 931 Green Bananas-Guide to Storage and Transport

Index Terms

agricultural produce; arthropod pest; food; fruit; insect; insect control; irradiation; labeling; packaging; phytosanitary treatment; processing; quarantine; ICS Number Code 65.020.20

Citing ASTM Standards

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