1.1 This guide provides procedures for the radiation disinfestation of fresh fruits as a quarantine treatment. Since many insect pests are found on more than one type of fruit, this guide is directed primarily toward the treatment needed to control certain insect pests commonly associated with various fresh fruits.

1.2 The absorbed dose range covered is between 0.075 and 1.0 kilogray (kGy). The practical maximum dose may be lower than 1.0 kGy, depending on the radiation tolerance of a particular type of fruit. If the minimum effective dose for disinfestation is greater than the radiation tolerance of the fruit, then irradiation disinfestation is not appropriate (see 5.1).