Marketing Of PARAS FOODS (PVT) LTD. Is Outsourced To FAIZAN COMMUNICATION INTERNATIONAL
In order to provide better services to our customers, PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd has outsourced its marketing activities to Faizan Communication International (FCI). The firm is already engaged in trading of agriculture and food commodities. It plans to establish representative offices in different cities providing easy access for different food traders and fruits and vegetable exporters who may require food irradiation treatment for their products. Therefore, now FCI wishes to engage interested parties to work as their agents for marketing & promotion of food radiation services.
Current Activities
Research and Development work on different fruits and vegetables has been started by Project Manager PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd, for the last couple of months, keeping in view the requirements of the horticulture market. Research is focused on the exportable horticulture commodities.
Mango, being one of the most demanded fruits around the world, is the leading candidate for irradiation. The PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd is already collaborating with different research institutes to explore the benefits of irradiation on different varieties, including Chunsa, Sindhri, Anwar Rathol and Sensation.
Company in collaboration with Post-Harvest Research Institute, Faislabad has established that irradiation significantly adds to the quality of mango by increasing its shelf-life and dealing with the Fruit Fly – the most dangerous insect as far as international quarantine requirements are concerned, particularly for the USA.
The company is also collaborating with the Department of Plant Protection (DPPO) for elimination of fruit fly and a comprehensive study is being planned, in collaboration with the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, for promoting mango exports to the USA.
Research trials on other seasonal fruits are also underway that include peach, banana, apple, dates and vegetables including lady finger, karaila (bitter grourd), potato, onion, tomato and garlic.
The research and development is also aimed at two major crops – wheat and rice – to explore the benefits of new technology. Both crops have long term storage and needed fumigation at regular intervals. The PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd has coordinated with Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to conduct studies at Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku on different varieties of rice to prove that irradiation ends the need for any type of fumigation during storage.
Different pulses and grains are also part of this R&D exercise and different spices are already being irradiated in country for last many years. Many national and multinational companies irradiate their commodities to avoid insect infestation and longer term shelf-life.
Moreover, the PARAS FOODS has also coordinated with Food Grain Association of Pakistan to carry out R&D on different dry fruits including, Fig, Raisin, Pistachio, Pine Nuts, Cashio Nuts and Apricot. Irradiation technology eliminates insect infestation and improves shelf-life of dry fruits.
The PARAS FOODS (Pvt) Ltd being the first food irradiation company is committed to help fruits and vegetable exporters in meeting quarantine requirements of the developed countries. It is also believed that it will help reduce post-harvest losses and significantly contribute to national economy.
Mango Irradiation Treatment for USA
On July 10, 2007 a Frame Work Equivalency Plan was signed between two NPPOs viz, Department of Plant Protection/MINFAL and Plant Protection and Quarantine USDA for trade of irradiated commodities between Pakistan and USA,
The FEWP was signed between two departments under USDA code of Federal regulations (CFR), 7 CFR parts 305 and 319, to import irradiated commodities in to United States.
Both departments agreed in principle to allow the use of irradiation as phytosanitory treatment for commodities imported from the United States.
Pakistan Department of Plant Protection further agrees to accept a generic dose of 150 Gy to treat fruit for fruit flies and a generic dose of 400 gy to treat for all insect pests excluding adults and pupae of the order Lepidoptera.
Under the Plan the fruit are first inspected for presence of live pests or any spoilage by APHIS/DPPO Preclearance officer at the irradiation facility in Pakistan.
If there are no pests present, the fruit will be authorized to be treated with the specified doses of irradiation prior to export at the APHIS recognized irradiation facility.
In case any spoilage/live pests are found during the preclearance inspection, the shipment will not be eligible for export to USA.
Mangoes must be packed in insect-proof boxes and safeguarded after irradiation treatment to prevent any reinfestation.
Consignment also must be accompanied by phytosanitory certificate issued by Department of Plant Protection Organization of Pakistan with additional declaration certifying that the treatment and inspection of mangoes were made in accordance with regulations.