PREFACE 
This report is the first of a group on the economic 
feasibility of pasteurizing selected fresh produce by ioniz- 
ing radiation. The study was conducted by the U.S. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture for the Division of Isotopes Develop- 
ment of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. It contains 
the results of a survey of the produce industry on the feasi- 
bility of radiation-pasteurizing fresh strawberries, peaches, 
tomatoes, grapes, oranges, and grapefruit. 
Additional research is planned to develop information 
needed to complete the analysis of economic feasibility of 
processing and marketing selected radiation-pasteurized 
fruits and vegetables, Needed information includes esti- 
mates of: (1) comparative costs and benefits of radiation 
processing relative to other processes currently in use, 
and (2) the probable effect of radiation processing on 
prices, supplies, and the market structure of the selected 
commodities. 
Robert H. Reed participated in planning the research 
and served as supervisor. Alfred J. Burns, Floyd W. 
Williams, Donald G. Gillette, and Melvin B. Allen assisted 
with the survey work. The author is indebted to the Market 
Quality Research Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
and the Standards and Research Division, Statistical Re- 
porting Service, for many helpful suggestions. In addition, 
thanks are expressed to Dr. Kevin G. Shea, Division of 
Isotopes Development, .U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, 
Mr. A. L. Morel, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, U.S. 
Department of the Interior, and Captain George R. Dietz, 
U.S. Army Quartermaster Research and Engineering Com- 
mand for technical information, helpful suggestions, and 
review of the manuscript. 
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