In a significant setback for Indian fruit exporters, 15 shipments of mangoes sent to the United States were rejected by U.S. authorities due to documentation discrepancies related to the mandatory irradiation process. This incident underscores the critical importance of compliance with international food safety protocols, especially when exporting perishable goods like mangoes.

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Why Were the Shipments Rejected?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found irregularities in the documents accompanying the mango consignments, particularly those related to irradiation certification—a regulatory requirement aimed at ensuring the fruit is free from pests and spoilage organisms.

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What Happened to the Shipments?

Exporters were offered two choices:

• Destroy the cargo, or
• Re-export it back to India.

Given the high cost of reverse logistics and the perishable nature of mangoes, exporters opted to discard the shipments, resulting in financial losses and reputational risk.

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Key Incident Summary

Aspect	Details
Number of Shipments Rejected	15
Reason	Documentation lapses in irradiation certification
Treatment Location & Dates	Irradiated in Mumbai on May 8 and 9
Ports of Rejection	Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta
Exporter Options	Destroy or re-export (most chose destruction)
Market Impact	The U.S. is India’s largest mango export market

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The Irradiation Process: A Critical Export Requirement

Step	Details
Preparation	Mangoes are cleaned and sorted before treatment
Irradiation	Exposed to controlled ionizing radiation (gamma rays, X-rays, or electron beams) to kill pests and pathogens
Benefits	– Eradicates fruit flies and bacteria – Prevents spoilage – Extends shelf life
Regulatory Compliance	Certification is mandatory to verify treatment was done per international food safety standards
Post-Treatment Handling	Transported under controlled conditions to preserve freshness and quality

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Why This Matters

• The U.S. is India’s largest export destination for mangoes, making it crucial to adhere strictly to their import requirements.
• Even minor lapses in compliance or documentation can lead to significant financial and operational losses.
• This incident is a reminder of the importance of coordination between exporters, irradiation facilities, and regulatory authorities.

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Conclusion

The rejection of 15 mango shipments highlights how critical procedural compliance is to maintaining export momentum in competitive markets like the United States. As India continues to expand its agri-exports, particularly in high-value segments like fresh fruits, ensuring accuracy in every step of the supply chain—from treatment to paperwork—will be key to protecting brand reputation and market access.