French regulations concerning post-harvest treatments of tropical fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables from tropical regions are transported for long distances. This sometimes means long transport times (by sea) and often phytosanitary risks related to the presence of parasites and pests different to those of the consumption zone and that may appear in lists of quarantine organisms. Various chemical natural substances and various techniques can be used to conserve the quality of the fruits and vegetables shipped (appearance, flavour, etc.) and to prevent phytosanitary risks. The substances must be used within a strict regulation framework that is regularly revised according to knowledge concerning these substances and their impacts on the health of consumers or users and on the environment. The regulations concerning the use of chemicals are applied at two levels: entry of the substance in a community positive list and its marketing authorisation awarded to commercial products by each member-state. This concerns only applications performed in the territories of the member-states; the residual level of the product on or in fruits and vegetables. The state of the regulations applied in France is examined with regard to food additives and post-harvest treatments authorised for unprocessed fruits and vegetables and quarantine phytosanitary treatments.