Mangoes are being pulled from supermarket shelves in South Australia because they are infested with fruit fly larvae.
Biosecurity SA has ordered a Queensland mango grower to recall all the fruit sent to South Australia since December 1. Already some 125,000 infested mangoes have been removed from sale.
Biosecurity SA executive director Will Zacharin is urging every South Australian to check mangoes for signs of larvae, after the discovery was made in a mango purchased in Adelaide.
“Quick action from a member of the public alerted us to the heavily infested fruit,” he said, in a statement.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is to check your fruit, especially if it has come from interstate.”
He warned people not return mangoes to the place of purchase or throw them in the bin or compost.
“If you see anything unusual – any signs of larvae or maggots -place the fruit in a sealed bag or container and contact the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.”
Mangoes for Christmas?
Australian Mango Industry Association chief executive, Robert Gray says 7900 trays have been recalled so far.
“The important thing for the consumer is there is no supply issue or any impact on the price of mangoes, which are in good supply,” he told The Advertiser.
“There will not be a shortage of mangoes for consumers in SA, or the rest of the country, leading into Christmas or after the New Year.”
South Australia is the only mainland state in Australia that is fruit fly free. If an outbreak happened, it could devastate the state’s billion-dollar wine grapes industry.
Biosecurity SA has suspended further deliveries from the producer. It is investigating the incident with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
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