COUNTYWIDE : More Unsuitable Avocados Seized

State officials with the Department of Food and Agriculture have stepped up efforts to confiscate avocados unsuitable for sale--a move that has increased the number of confiscated fruit in Ventura County.

Ventura and Santa Barbara counties have seen a 64% increase in confiscation of non-certified avocados, said Donella Boreham, supervisor for the Department of Food and Agriculture.

The department administers a confiscation program for the California Avocado Commission to stem the sale of non-certified avocados, she said.

Avocado sellers must show proof that they purchased the fruit from a grower or packinghouse and certification indicating that the fruit has been checked by the Department of Food and Agriculture for maturity and healthiness, Boreham said. Avocados that are not inspected are subject to confiscation, she said.

An average of 1,024 pounds of avocados were confiscated in the two counties last November and December, she said. During the same period in 1989, only 624 pounds were confiscated. The increase is due in part to better education among growers about state standards, Boreham said.

“Growers are becoming more aware of the need to have their fruit certified before delivering it to a market,” she said.

Since the market-level anti-theft program was instituted by the commission in July, 1989, nearly 400,000 pounds of avocados have been found to be in noncompliance with state standards, Boreham said.

Under the program, six inspectors visit roadside stands, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and swap meets to inspect avocados, said Jim Covey, market inspector coordinator for the commission.

The inspectors ask for proof of ownership, such as a receipt, and for state certification on the box, Covey said. People cited have 48 hours to produce proof of ownership and have the fruit checked to meet state standards. Otherwise, the avocados are confiscated and either sold or destroyed, Covey said.