Extending phytosanitary irradiation to all fresh fruits and vegetables generally

As at August 2020, Standard 1.5.3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code permits irradiation of 26 select fruits and vegetables for a phytosanitary purpose. In 2019, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries submitted an application to expand this authorisation to all fresh fruits and vegetables, aside from dried pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds. This article explores the rationale and implications of such an amendment.