By IANS,
New Delhi: Travelling to the US, but still need your daily dose of mangoes? If you’re planning to pack the king of fruits in your luggage, just make sure that the mangoes you carry are certified, says a notice issued by the government of India.
The appeal has been issued following reports that in violation of agreed protocol between India and the US, “some passengers are carrying uncertified/untreated mangoes in their luggage to the US” and “some of the firms are exporting parcels of uncertified and un-irradiated mangoes to US through courier services”.
India has entered into a bilateral agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for export of commercial shipment of only phytosanitary certified mangoes irradiated at an approved facility in accordance with the terms and conditions of agreed protocols.
“As a condition of entry into US, the mangoes must be treated in India with irradiation by receiving a minimum absorbed dosage of 400 grays,” according to a guideline issued by the government in 2007.
The mangoes must be given post-harvest hot water fungicidal dipping (Prochloraz at 500 ppm) at 52 degrees Celsius for 3-4 minutes, says the guideline.
“It is brought to the notice of all and especially the exporters/customs & excise authorities/passengers/courier service providers/Pest Control Operators that the government of India has entered into a bilateral agreement with United States Department of Agriculture for export of commercial shipment of only phytosanitary certified mangoes irradiated at approved facility in accordance with terms and conditions of agreed protocols,” said a fresh notice issued by the agriculture ministry.
“In view of the above, it is for information to all concerned that nobody should carry mangoes in their luggages. Further, the courier services should not accept/transport mango parcels to the US,” the notice said.
The government also advised customs/excise authorities to ensure that “the consignments of mangoes accompanied with proper phytosanitary certificates may only be allowed for export to US to avoid the noncompliance of the agreement.”
Indian mangoes were not allowed for export to the US market on the grounds that India will have to comply with the Food and Drug Authorities norms. The US also had wanted India to comply with regulations with regard to pesticides and preservatives.
During his visit to India in 2006, the then US President, George Bush, had said he was looking forward to eating Indian mangoes.
At that time there were a few hurdles in exporting mangoes from India to US, particularly irradiation, which the US officials had been demanding.
These issues were discussed during Bush’s India visit and the US, in principle, agreed to permit export of Indian mangoes.
India is the biggest mango producer in the world.
Mango makes up 15 percent of the total fresh fruits exported from India.