Over a work lunch break, co-workers described a trip they took to Canada to get a fruit, lanzones, which they claimed was legal in Canada but not just south of the border in the US. None of them could give an answer as to why it’s banned here other than “exotic fruit”. So, is there a story here as to why this fruit has been banned as opposed to durian or other exotic fruits? And when did this happen?
I can't find any indication that they're banned. [This] (https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/langsat.html) article from Purdue University indicates at least a couple people are trying to grow them (with limited success) in Florida. I found plenty of Google auto-fill results that indicate people think it's banned, but I did find a 2012 USDA approved import list and it's listed as OK there (as langsat, not lanzon). Perhaps they're just difficult to find?
Okay - Part of my problem finding information is that it’s legal name here is langsat. I still don’t understand this, but it seems that it is legal to import into the US, but only through Grenada.
https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/index.cfm?action=cirReportP&PERMITTED_ID=6883
Despite being recognized as cultivated from other nations:
https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?70393
When looking at fruits imported from the Philippines on the permit page, other fruits are listed but then denied entry—
Import Permit Required: NOTICE: program phytosanitary requirements designed for this commodity to meet U.S. entry requirements have not been met. Therefore, import permits will not be issued at this time.
It does not list for the fruits more specifically what failure in requirements is not met nor a timeline for when it was barred import or when it is expected to “meet” requirements.
Nor does this answer why langsat/lanzones are not even listed as an eligible but denied fruit from the Philippines. Or more importantly why if it is legal to be imported, is it not in Chicago, but in Canada despite a large Asian population base.
Given the US’s relationship with the Philippines, I thought there had to be some reason, but maybe it’s just bureaucracy and some unmentioned botanical parasite.