ABSTRACT
Cold storage was originally used to inhibit decay and extend the shelf life of commodities. Intransit cold treatment authorization must be preceded by a visit to the country of origin by a plant protection and quarantine official to explain loading, inspection, and certification procedures to designated certifying officials of country of origin. The normal commercial practice of cold storage is adapted with minor modifications to become an effective disinfestation treatment. Cold is not a viable treatment for many temperate insects that are adapted to cold. Research on the use of cold to destroy insect pests began in the 1890s and expanded to cover a variety of commodity pests early in this century Cold storage is used as a quarantine treatment to ship fruit to areas where the fruit would otherwise not be permitted. The use of cold treatment may expand to other commodities as the problems of cold injury are resolved by research.
