PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd is being
established as a joint venture between Pakistan Horticulture
Development & Export Board and Pakistan Atomic Energy
Commission. Keeping in view national requirement, both
institutions joined hands to establish the irradiation
facility at Lahore, with an annual processing capacity
of 60,000 tons and will process the horticulture commodities
as approved under SRO of the government for the food
irradiation in Pakistan.
The Company will not only help
boost horticulture exports to current market but also
facilitate exploring new markets around the globe.
Current Activities
Research and Development work
on different fruits and vegetables has been started
by Project Manager PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd, for the last
couple of months, keeping in view the requirements of
the horticulture market. Research is focused on the
exportable horticulture commodities.
Mango, being one of the most demanded fruits around
the world, is the leading candidate for irradiation.
The PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd is already collaborating with
different research institutes to explore the benefits
of irradiation on different varieties, including Chunsa,
Sindhri, Anwar Rathol and Sensation.
Company in collaboration with Post-Harvest Research
Institute, Faislabad has established that irradiation
significantly adds to the quality of mango by increasing
its shelf-life and dealing with the Fruit Fly –
the most dangerous insect as far as international quarantine
requirements are concerned, particularly for the USA.
The company is also collaborating with the Department
of Plant Protection (DPPO) for elimination of fruit
fly and a comprehensive study is being planned, in collaboration
with the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, for
promoting mango exports to the USA.
Research trials on other seasonal fruits are also underway
that include peach, banana, apple, dates and vegetables
including lady finger, karaila (bitter grourd), potato,
onion, tomato and garlic.
The research and development is also aimed at two major
crops – wheat and rice – to explore the
benefits of new technology. Both crops have long term
storage and needed fumigation at regular intervals.
The PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd has coordinated with Rice
Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to conduct
studies at Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku on
different varieties of rice to prove that irradiation
ends the need for any type of fumigation during storage.
Different pulses and grains are also part of this R&D
exercise and different spices are already being irradiated
in country for last many years. Many national and multinational
companies irradiate their commodities to avoid insect
infestation and longer term shelf-life.
Moreover, the PARAS FOODS has also coordinated with
Food Grain Association of Pakistan to carry out R&D
on different dry fruits including, Fig, Raisin, Pistachio,
Pine Nuts, Cashio Nuts and Apricot. Irradiation technology
eliminates insect infestation and improves shelf-life
of dry fruits.
The PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd being the first food irradiation
company is committed to help fruits and vegetable exporters
in meeting quarantine requirements of the developed
countries. It is also believed that it will help reduce
post-harvest losses and significantly contribute to
national economy.
Articles on Irradiation
Mango Irradiation Treatment for USA
On July 10, 2007 a Frame Work
Equivalency Plan was signed between two NPPOs viz, Department
of Plant Protection/MINFAL and Plant Protection and
Quarantine USDA for trade of irradiated commodities
between Pakistan and USA,
The FEWP was signed between two
departments under USDA code of Federal regulations (CFR),
7 CFR parts 305 and 319, to import irradiated commodities
in to United States.
Both departments agreed in principle
to allow the use of irradiation as phytosanitory treatment
for commodities imported from the United States.
Pakistan Department of Plant Protection further agrees
to accept a generic dose of 150 Gy to treat fruit for
fruit flies and a generic dose of 400 gy to treat for
all insect pests excluding adults and pupae of the order
Lepidoptera.
Under the Plan the fruit are first inspected for presence
of live pests or any spoilage by APHIS/DPPO Preclearance
officer at the irradiation facility in Pakistan.
If there are no pests present,
the fruit will be authorized to be treated with the
specified doses of irradiation prior to export at the
APHIS recognized irradiation facility.
In case any spoilage/live pests
are found during the preclearance inspection, the shipment
will not be eligible for export to USA.
Mangoes must be packed in insect-proof
boxes and safeguarded after irradiation treatment to
prevent any reinfestation.
Consignment also must be accompanied
by phytosanitory certificate issued by Department of
Plant Protection Organization of Pakistan with additional
declaration certifying that the treatment and inspection
of mangoes were made in accordance with regulations.
Contacts
Project Manager
PARAS FOODS (PVT) LTD.
18-Km Multan Road, Lahore.
Tel: +92-42-5085181, Fax: +92-42-7515196
parasfoods@live.com, skhurram@phdeb.org.pk
