Thai Fruit Exporters Warned To Raise Their Transportation And Storage Standards

[Jai Dee]

Thai fruit exporters are warned to raise their transportation and storage standards

The Department of Foreign Trade warns Thai fruit traders who are exporting their products to the United States to increase their transportation and storage measures. Their fruits should be stored in an appropriate temperature to avoid bacterial infection and prevent their goods from being return.

Mr. Rachane Pojanasunthorn, the Foreign Trade Department Director-General, disclosed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US and the Canadian FDA have found a bacterium called clostridium botulinum in the carrot juice product of the US. This bacterium is harmful to humans and can cause botulism disease.

In order to avoid the bacteria to spread, non-pasteurized fruit and vegetable juices have to be stored below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or 7.22 degrees Celsius. Even though clostridium botulinum has not been found in Thai products yet, the US checkpoints have become more stringent in the inspection process before they will be allowed to enter the country.

However, Mr. Rachane said the US is the leading importer of Thai fruit beverages, and Thailand has received over one billion baht from exporting this product category. Therefore, he would like the Thai exporters to be more cautious in transporting and storing the fruit beverages.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 October 2006