This seminar discusses the potential of food irradiation in Nepal.

1. Central Campus of Technology, Dharan
16 December 2013
Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba
Tribhuvan University
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2. I. Introduction
II. Benefits of use of irradiation technology in
food
III. Status of food irradiation in the world and
Asia-Pacific
IV. Status and prospect of food irradiation in
Nepal
V. IAEA and food irradiation program in Nepal
VI. Way forward
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3. I Introduction
Peaceful application of nuclear energy in agriculture,
environment, food, material science, health, etc
Disease diagnosis and treatment
Plant and animal breeding
Sterilization of non-food materials and changing
material properties
Analytical techniques
Treatment of food and food analysis
Ultimate purpose of the talk: share latest information
on status, progress and prospect of food irradiation in
Nepal
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4.  Food irradiation is a well established and recognized
technology
 Processing and preservation of food
 Destruction of microorganisms (preservation)
 Destruction of pathogenic microorganisms (food
safety)
 Destruction of parasites and microbial toxins (food
safety)
 Destruction of insects e.g. fruit flies
 Sprout inhibition in vegetables e.g. potato, onion,
garlic (shelf life extension)
 Delay ripening of fruits (shelf life extension)
 Decreased cooking time of dried vegetables (due to
softening effect)
 Increased juice extraction from fruits
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5. Contd…
Promising preservation technology for fresh
cut fruits and vegetables
Meet sanitary and phytosanitary treatment
requirement of foods; boost export and import
trade of food
Sterilization of heat intolerant (e.g. ice cream,
chocolate) and heat sensitive foods (containing
heat sensitive nutrients, etc); diets especially
for immune-compromised patients
Provide alternative for fumigants used for
cereals and fruits
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6.  55-60 countries
 North America and Europe have conservative
attitude towards food irradiation. They do little
food irradiation e.g. beef and spices irradiated in
USA, however they import irradiated foods
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7.  Some member states are forward in food irradiation
having large number of irradiators. China has largest
number of irradiation facility and the largest producer
of irradiated foods; other large producer (>1000 ton per
year) are Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and
Australia. A number of these countries are constructing
new irradiation facilities. Myanmar has three irradiators
for research purpose. Nepal and Mongolia do not have
any irradiation facility.
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8. Mostly gamma irradiators, much less
electron beams, and quite a few x-ray
accelerators are in use
Commercial and research purpose irradiator
Sanitary, extend shelf life, phytosanitary and
quality improvement purposes
Important food groups: Spices, fresh and
dried fruits, nuts, dried vegetables and fish,
and frozen foods
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9. Country Irradiatio
n facility
Main irradiated food products and annual production Purpose &
commercia
l use
Australia 4
facilities;
Tropical fruits, herbs, spices,
900-1000 ton in 2012
PS, D, Exp
Banglade
sh
6 facilities Spices, peanut, protein food supplement; dry fish, pulses,
beef casing, turtle meat, macaroni, fruits; 41 ton in 2012
S, E, D,
Exp
China 156
facilities
Cooked meat products, spices and dry vegetables, garlic,
frozen food; 200,000 tons in 2010
S, E, D,
Exp
India 13
facilities;
5 under
constructi
on
Mango and other fruits (220 ton in 2012), spices and other
products (2000 ton in 2012), cashew nut, semolina, meals
for immune-compromised patients, ready to eat fruits,
ready to cook vegetables;
S, PS, D,
Exp
Indonesia 2 facilities Frozen foods, cocoa, ready to eat food, dry vegetables,
spices, honey; 9000 ton in 2012
S, E, D,
Exp
Japan Potato; 6000 ton in 2012 E, D
Malaysia 4 facilities spices, herbs, cocoa powder, 562 ton in 2012
S, D
Mongolia
N N
3 facilities N/research scale 9

10. Country Irradiation
facility
Main irradiated food products and annual production Purpose &
commercial
use
Nepal N N
New Zealand Y/N N
Pakistan 2 facilities; 5
under
construction
Mango, spices, pulses, rice, ready meals, dry fruits, fruit pulp;
1130 ton
S, PS, E, D, Exp
Philippines 1 facility spices, dehydrated vegetables and herbal products; 850 ton
in 2012
S, D
Korea, Rep. 7 facilities Dried vegetables and spices; 200 ton in 2010 (production in
decreasing trend)
S, D
Sri Lanka 1 facility; 1
under
construction
Not yet in commercial operation
N
Thailand 3 facilities Herbs, spices, dry meat, poultry, seafood & vegetables, fruits,
meat & products: 838 ton fruits in 2012 S, PS, D, Exp
Vietnam 9 facilities frozen seafood, dried and salted seafood, spices,
seasonings, dehydrated vegetables, fresh fruits; 80,000 tons
in 2012
S, PS, D, Exp
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11. Policy and regulatory
 National Nuclear Policy was formulated in 2007,
and spells out-
Irradiation technology shall be used for the
storage of food materials to make them free of
germs and also for lengthening storage period
Purposes of irradiation: food safety, shelf life
extension
Foods not specified for irradiation
 Nuclear law is yet a bill
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12.  Nuclear Steering committee is the only all-in-all
body to look after any matter dealing with nuclear
energy
 Country Program Framework 2011-15 contains
food irradiation as one activity
 No facility for food irradiation either for research or
commercial purpose
 No research and commercial activity in food
irradiation
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13.  Irradiation is highly relevant more in developing
countries like Nepal as more food is lost after
postharvest due to microorganisms, pests, and
quality deterioration
 Fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, meat, poultry,
spices, honey
 Prospective irradiated export food products: ginger,
cardamom, lentil
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14.  IAEA, the coordinator, facilitator and financier
 Nepal became member of IAEA in 2008
 Stepping stone in food irradiation-Nepal became
party to RCA (Regional Cooperative Agreement) in
2012. Project: lnplementing Best Practices of Food
lrradiation for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Purpose.17
RCA member countries as party to IAEA
 RCA member states share information on status of
food irradiation in the meetings
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15. The recommendations of the Malaysia meeting
 Has encouraged Nepal to keep in contact with
counterparts in other countries to learn more about
their regulatory practices and how irradiation
technologies were established
 Has recommended to use the IAEA model food
irradiation regulations as a basis
 Should consider applying for support through the
IAEA for building irradiation facilities
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16.  Increase awareness among all concerned (business
community, consumer forums, legislators, food safety
authorities, food professionals, professional societies,
and general public) and build support
 Inaction of nuclear law
 Preparation of food irradiation regulation
 Formation of nuclear authority and food irradiation
control body
 Seek continued support from IAEA for building
capacity for irradiation technology
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