Cider concentrate imports could contain 'human waste'
The cider industry has expressed concern over the health risks posed in the use of imported concentrate by major cider brands.
Following reports that fruit growers are not reaping the rewards of the cider boom, local producers say there is no telling what sort of treatment has been applied to overseas fruit before it's concentrated and imported into Australia.
Western Australian apple grower Mario Carsotti says imports do not have to adhere to the strict regulations imposed on local producers.
"The fruit coming in from China, this concentrate, that could be sprayed with anything at all. Human waste put onto it, you really don't know whats ending up in that final product. It's sort of like playing Russian roulette really," said Mr Carsotti.
Brewer Mark Hollett, who has produced boutique cider for the past decade in Western Australia, says the imports represent a compromise in safety and quality.
"I would be disappointed to see ciders being produced with concentrate, because it's a little like short-cutting the process [and] trying to produce something as cheap as possible," said Mr Hollett.
"If the apples are coming from overseas originally, then we don't really know what the processes of the orchard have been in regards to spraying and other things, so you just have to hope that the fruit is of a high-quality when they juice it."
Mr Carsotti argues that without Government intervention, the flood of imported concentrate will continue unchecked, damaging the local industry.
"We just can't understand why the Government doesn't put some sort of protection there, because [the countries from which Australia imports], they are just not doing what we are doing. It's not a level playing field," said Mr Carsotti.
"We're not asking to get rich on it. There should be some restrictions somehow on this stuff coming in. That's the only way I see that it can make a difference. The imported product is just so cheap for [major producers] to grab, that they don't worry about local production."
In light of the heightening importance placed by the major supermarkets on the aesthetics of fresh produce, Mr Carsotti says that cider and juice represent a vital market for growers, if only to help them recoup production costs.
"The major [supermarket] chains have raised their bar with regards to what they will accept on quality with first-grade fruit. That puts more fruit into the juice-grade line of fruit. There's too much for the factories to handle with the amount of imported juice coming into the country."
He says that without the importation of concentrate grown overseas, local growers would be able sell all of their juice-grade produce.
Mr Hollett claims that apples used in local cider production are of such quality that they could be consumed fresh, and are only rejected on the basis of their appearance. He argues that the intensive process of concentrating fresh fruit significantly diminishes both taste and health benefits.
"You can imagine that amount of heat applied to something to reduce it that much. You would be likely to change not only its nutritional value, but also the flavour of that product as well."
Source: ABC News, 24 July 2013
