125 Pounds of Fruit a Day Confiscated at Airport
Federal agriculture inspectors stationed since last week at Burbank Airport have been confiscating an average of 125 pounds of fruit per day in the effort to prevent the Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak from spreading beyond Los Angeles.
“It’s more than I expected,” said Scott Sanner, one of six U.S. Department of Agriculture plant protection and quarantine officers assigned to the airport since Tuesday. “I know the airlines are surprised.”
The uniformed officers are stationed at the airport’s two security checkpoints and monitor X-ray screens for fruit. Fruit found in carry-on luggage is taken to the department’s El Monte office for inspection.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
