But NSW Department of Industries Research Horticulturalist, John Golding, who led the blueberry irradiation research project, says the fifty-year-old technology has "no effect on fruit quality, vitamins, antioxidants or minerals".
"There were some consumer groups who opposed the technology," he said.
"There might have been some apprehension that the fruit becomes radioactive but it doesn't."
Dr Golding said "there were issues a long time ago with radiated cat foods" but this was the result of excessive dosages that no longer existed. "Modern irradiation doses are very low," he said.
Last week, department officials released a statement predicting a 43% increase in the value of NSW's blueberry exports from $140 million to $200 million in 2016-17 thanks to changes in quarantine standards.
Dr Golding said similar irradiation techniques were already approved by authorities in the United States and New Zealand for Australian mangoes and for the export of Australian tomatoes to New Zealand.
He said 19 Australian crops were approved for irradiation but it was up to business stakeholders to decide whether or not they wanted to take up the practice.
source: northernstar.com.au