Discrepancies in Irradiation Documents Lead to Major Losses
Indian mango exporters have suffered a significant financial blow after 15 mango consignments were rejected by US authorities due to non-compliance with radiation treatment documentation. The rejected shipments were dispatched through airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta.
According to The Economic Times, the affected shipments underwent irradiation at a certified facility in Mumbai on May 8 and 9. However, the documentation provided did not meet the stringent phytosanitary requirements mandated by US import regulations.
Importance of Irradiation Compliance
Irradiation is a globally accepted method to eliminate pests, enhance shelf life, and ensure produce safety for international markets. In the case of fresh produce like mangoes, accurate certification of the irradiation process is critical for customs clearance in high-regulation countries like the United States.
Due to inconsistencies in the paperwork, US authorities offered two options: destroy the fruit or send it back to India. The exporters, facing logistical constraints and further financial losses from re-exporting perishable goods, opted to dispose of the mangoes.
Financial Repercussions and Exporter Concerns
The collective loss is estimated at $500,000 (roughly ₹41.5 million), and Indian exporters have expressed deep frustration over what they describe as a breakdown in procedural integrity, rather than a failure in product quality.
“This is not just about the lost mangoes—it’s about how one weak link in documentation can break the entire export chain,” said an industry official.
Growing International Scrutiny
This incident highlights the rising scrutiny on agricultural exports amid increasing phytosanitary standards. Exporters are now calling on Indian authorities to review and strengthen certification protocols to prevent such mishaps in future.
Exporters are also urging regulatory bodies to digitize and standardize irradiation documentation to avoid manual errors and ensure alignment with international customs expectations.
