U.K. company calls for compulsory heat treatment of mangoes

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U.K. company calls for compulsory heat treatment of mangoes

British-Indian mango importer and distributor Fruity Fresh has historically imported around 20% of the Indian mangoes coming into the U.K., but 2014 is the first season in many years that it cannot source the unique varieties the South Asian country's has to offer. shutterstock_120621661 mangoes sq

The company's Monica Bhandari says demand for Indian fruit remains as high as ever from U.K. mango consumers, but stocks have run out and there will be no more until a review of the ban.

Bhandari explains how just two consignments of Indian mangoes were found to contain unauthorized pests on import into the U.K. during 2014. She claims the majority of the consignments - around 207 - that were found to be contaminated with non-European fruit fly, related to tests carried out in 2013.

She makes the point that because of the lack of a compulsory hot water treatment or something similar, there is no data on whether or not the 2014 consignments had been treated, as this is not currently mandatory on the export or import side. However, many Indian growers and exporterss do voluntary treat mango consignments.

"This highlights the need for a compulsory treatment system. There must be a means of checking and declaring whether or not mangoes have been treated. It's entirely disproportionate to ban all exporters and importers on the basis that some do not follow voluntary measures that have been found effective," she says.

"Furthermore, the EU can make these measures compulsory easily and quickly, so that the rest of the mango season this year is not destroyed."

Restoring confidence and taking precautions

As Fruity Fresh is counting the financial losses at week three of the mango season, and there are seven weeks remaining, Bhandari puts forward an alternative scenario.

"Until the ban on Indian mangoes on 1 May 2014, DEFRA was checking the majority of Indian mango imports in the UK. This procedure would of course continue, at expense to importers as at present, after the ban until confidence in the system has become entrenched.

"As an importer, Fruity Fresh (Western) Ltd, which imports approximately 20% of all Indian mangoes in the UK, has imported only treated mangoes, through either VHT or HWDT – non-pesticide, safe treatments. 100% of the consignments have been checked and have been found to pose no risk from pests.

"This demonstrates the efficacy of the system and along with a checking system in the U.K. is a rigorous and safe approach to the problem."

Ban plants the seed of doubt in consumers’ minds

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who is politically campaigning to reverse the ban, raised the debate in an Early Day Motion last week in the House of Commons. During his speech he mentioned how consumer confidence in any product can remain low long after prohibitions have been lifted.

Bhandari is also concerned about the long-term damage the mango ban will have on India's 'king of fruits' as well as other Indian produce.

"A ban cited as being put in place on the basis of pests has affected consumer confidence in the products. There is proven to be no risk to health from these fruit flies, yet the ban has put the seed of doubt and fear into some consumers. This is extremely negative and damaging for the fresh produce industry and could create a fear of a wider range of Indian fresh products.

"This is unacceptable and a direct consequence of this harsh measure – where the products are not harmful to health, such severe steps should not be taken without looking at alternatives and ensuring the public are aware that there is no harm to health.

"This ban must be reversed immediately to allow the import of Indian mangoes over the 2014 mango season which ends in late June. The industry supports the introduction of a compulsory treatment method of either VHT or HWDT before import into the EU, coupled with retention of the 100% checking system such as that in place in the UK. This is an urgent issue. There is no time for delay."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com

 

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