There's nothing quite like the taste of a fresh, tree-ripened tropical fruit!

For many people, though, the only way to enjoy one is when they are on vacation of visiting another country. Today, Hawaii Pride is revolutionizing the produce section in stores across the country by increasing the availability and improving the quality of tree-ripened tropical fruits. The Hawaii Pride label is your way of knowing that the tropical fruit you have selected has been specially processed for optimal quality.

1. What is Electronic Irradiation?

Electronic irradiation technology is a revolutionary process that uses electricity to generate a beam of energy. When scanned across a food product, the beam of energy helps to eliminate the treat of damaging plant pests like the fruit fly.

2. What can I expect from Hawaii Pride processed fruits?

Thanks to Hawaii Pride tropical fruits can now be picked at a heightened level of ripens for improved flavor and sweetness. Hawaii Pride processed fruit taste as fresh and sweet as they do picked off the tree.

3. Why is it necessary to treat fruit from the tropics?

Tropical fruit needs to be specially treated or quarantined to protect US Agriculture from damaging environmental pests such as the fruit fly. Hawaii Pride replaces older technologies such as chemical fumigation or heat treatment. These traditional methods can negatively affect product appearance, flavor or shelf-life.

4. Is the Electronic Irradiation process safe?

Absolutely, Major health organizations such as the American Medical Association, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization have all endorsed, approved or supported the safety and benefits of the process.

5. Does the process change food taste or nutrition?

No. fruit treated within USDA guidelines undergoes no change in nutrition, taste or vitamin content.

6. Is the fruit heated?

No. The treatment process takes place in a few seconds at ambient or refrigerated temperatures and the fruit is never heated or cooked.

7. Why is the word 'irradiated' used on the packaging?

The FDA mandates that all foods treated with ionizing energy be labeled as having been irradiated.

8. Does treated product become radioactive?

No. Our electronic irradiation process uses only electricity as its energy source. No radioactive materials are ever used, produced or deposited with this process. The process is chemical-free and does not leave any residues.

9. How should I handle Hawaii Pride treated fruits and vegetables?

Although Hawaii Pride treated fruits may stay fresh longer, they should be handled and stored like any other perishable food.

10. Has this process been carefully researched and approved?

Yes. Backed by almost 50 years of research and hundreds of studies, the process used by Hawaii Pride has been researched more thoroughly than canning, freezing, or microwaving. Only after careful and thorough review did the USDA and FDA approve the electronic irradiation process for the control of environmental pests. Furthermore, our Hawaii Pride facility is inspected and certified by the USDA.

The safety and benefits of our electronic irradiation process are endorsed, supported or approved by major public health organizations, including: