The two advantages most often reported by respondents are: 
1. ''Would reduce spoilage loss." 
2. ‘Would maintain quality. "' 
Other advantages often mentioned are: 
"Expand established markets,"' 
"Tend to stabilize markets. "' 
"Lengthen market season." 
"Facilitate distribution. "' 
"Result in improved merchandising methods, '' 
"Develop new markets," 
DOP WDN re 
Advantages mentioned less frequently are: 
"Reduce costs of handling and transportation. " 
"Can ship longer distances." 
"Would be a benefit to exporting. "' 
"Can harvest in a more ripened and better flavored condition." 
"Enable to ship and sell a more mature fruit."' 
"Will increase prepackaging at shipping point." 
"Will increase per capita consumption. "' 
"Will result in better satisfied customers."' 
"Suppliers would be able to buy more efficiently." 
OWMWUNKRNPRWNH 
From 5 to 1l percent of the respondents thought there would be no advantage to the 
process. 
Question 4, --What disadvantages might come from radiation pasteurization of fresh 
strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, grapes, oranges, and grapefruit? 
The disadvantage most often reported by respondents is consumer resistance due to 
fear of the process (appendix A, table 11). Two other disadvantages often reported are: 
1. "It would require an extensive educational program." 
2. ‘Would increase processing costs,"' 
Disadvantages mentioned less frequently are: 
"Would increase surplus or market supplies and depress prices.'"' 
"Some areas would lose their seasonal advantage." 
"Would drive tomato repackers out of business." 
"Less volume would be handled." 
. 'Would put middle men out of business." 
"Would reduce the number of growers and shippers because of higher investment 
requirements, "' ; 
7. 'The radiation processing facility would be bulky." 
8. "May require slowing down production lines." 
9. ''Danger to employees while processing." 
10. ''Possible loss in fruit and vegetable color, flavor, etc., resulting from the 
process. 
DO PWN Pe 
Questions 5.--From a marketing and consumer viewpoint, what would be the most 
desired number of days extension of refrigerated storage life from radiation pasteuriza- 
tion of fresh strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, grapes, oranges, and grapefruit? 
Increases in refrigerated storage life ranging from 8.2 to 22.6 days are indicated by 
commodity response averages of survey answers for the six commodities studied (table 1 
and appendix A, table 11). 
