Tasmanian quarantine authorities have confirmed the insect larvae found in a mango sold in the state was that of Queensland fruit fly.
A woman purchased the mango in Devonport, in Tasmania's north, before alerting quarantine officials, the ABC reported.
The incident comes after Australian mango exports to Japan were suspended for a short time last month following the detection of larvae in a Queensland mango that had undergone vapour heat treatment (VHT). In that case, it emerged the larvae was that of vinegar fly, not fruit fly.
Tasmanian officials are now waiting on a report from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to determine how the treatment process failed.
Colin Sherman, Tasmania's quarantine services manager, said extra measures have been put in place to stop any more infested fruit making it into the state.
"We're not accepting any more product from that particular grower or packer, and also any mangoes coming from Queensland at the moment are given a physical inspection on top of the normal certificates and documentation we require," he said.
"And of course our staff are being vigilant as ever at the ports of entry, at the airport and at the TT Line vessel, because this is the high risk time of the year for these sorts of things to occur."
No comments yet