We believe that allowing for a transient temperature
spike of the type reported in this study will
not compromise quarantine security or fruit quality
provided the treatment regime be allowed to continue.
In addition, allowing for such deviations
from the current protocol will facilitate the export
of ‘Sharwil’ avocados to the US mainland while
continuing to insure that quarantine pests (such as
fruit flies) are kept out. To our knowledge, this
study is the first to examine the effects of temporary
breaches in quarantine cold treatment protocols on
the resulting efficacy of the treatment. This study,
while limited to a narrow temperature spike, documents
the scientific basis for additional flexibility
in ensuring farm-to-store availability of fresh, high
quality produce such as avocados. As a result of
this study, USDA-APHIS, PPQ subsequently revised
their T107 (a) protocols to allow for a
transient temperature spike similar to that reported
in this study.