India: Irradiation of mangoes begins at Lasalgaon
The quarantine inspector from the US started inspection of the Lasalgaon plant, which exported around 21 tons of mangoes to the US, As per the norms, irradiation of mangoes is mandatory before they can be exported to the US.
There are two irradiation centres in Maharashtra; Vashi in Mumbai and Lasalgaon in the Nashik district. While the Vashi plant is owned by the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board, the Lasalgaon irradiation plant is owned by BARC. Located about 70 km from Nashik city, the Lasalgaon plant was set up in 2002 to irradiate agricultural commodities for their preservation. Presently, it is being operated by a private firm. Last year, the country exported 1,165 tons of mangoes, which were irradiated at Lasalgaon and Mumbai.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
