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Applications of Irradiation Technology in

INDIA

FOOD PRESERVATION PROGRAMME

Aims:

Preventing microbial contamination.

Extending shelf-life under recommended conditions of storage.

Overcoming quarantine barriers in international trade.

IRRADIATION &CONVENTIONAL METHODS

Basis to fix the Doses :

Low-dose applications (less than one kGy)

Medium dose (one to ten kGy)

High dose (above 10 kGy)

Food Irradiation in India- Applications

Delayed ripening of fruits

Disinfestation of grains

Preservation of sea foods

Microbial decontamination of spices

Cost of Irradiated Food

From Re 0.25 to 0.50 per kg. For a low dose

Rs 1-3 per kg for high dose application

The cost of plant could be between Rs 50-100 millions

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Technology/Assistance Available

Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)

Back-bone of Indian programme

Research reactors

Standardization of dosimeter procedure.

Nodal agency

Training to the staff.

Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT):

Centre for Advanced Technology

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI):

To promote the commercial use

Development of Infrastructure facilities

REGULATIONS:

The Atomic Energy (Control of Irradiation of Foods) Rules, 1996 .

The Prevention of Food Adulteration (Fifth Amendment) Rules,

1994.

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REGULATORY BODIES :

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

Food Package Irradiator in Food Technology Division, BARC

Defense Laboratory, Jodhpur

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Food items approved for radiation preservation by the Ministry of

Health & Family Welfare under Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules,

1955

NAME OF

FOOD

PURPOSE MINIMUM

DOSE (KGy)

MAXIMUM

DOSE (KGy)

Onion

Potato

Ginger

Garlic

Sprout inhibition

0.03

0.06

0.03

0.03

0.09

0.15

0.15

0.15

Mango Disinfestation

(Quartine)

0.25 0.75

Rice,

Semolina,

Wheat flour,

Maida

Disinfestation

0.25

0.25

0.25

1.0

1.0

0.75

Meat & meat

products,

Rasins , Figs,

Dried Dates

Shelf life

enhancement &

pathogen control

2.5 4.0

Spices Microbial

decontamination

6.0 14.0

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Additional food items recommended by the Central Committee for Food

Standards for approval

NAME OF

FOOD

PURPOSE MINIMUM

DOSE (KGy)

MAXIMUM

DOSE (KGy)

Pulses & Dried

Sea food Disinfestation 0.25 1.0

Fresh sea food Shelf life

enhancement 1.0 3.0

Frozen sea food pathogen control 4.0 6.0

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Consumer Responses and Opposition

Lethal effects have been found from the feeding of irradiated food

to mice

Some animals fed irradiated food have been found to have reducedgrowth, change white blood cells, and kidney damage

Polyploidy - has been observed in children, monkeys.

Conclusions

BARC process on food irradiation below and above 10 kGy is well

understood and establishedIt follows safety and nutritional adequacy of foods irradiated and

produced under Good Manufacturing Practice

Irradiation is established as a versatile, environmentally-friendly

treatment of foods

Experimental trials of irradiated foods in the areas prone food

borne disease could be useful in order to provide evidence for the

usefulness of irradiation on controlling such disease incidence.