INDIA – Food safety management is becoming increasingly important as the agricultural and processed food products grows.
Many developed economies have stringent food safety regulations and practices, including for imports as food safety incidents can have serious economic repercussions — public health risks, reduced consumer confidence, and disruptions in food supply and price stability.
To keep up with the development worldwide and in line with India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Union budget for 2024-25 has allocated funds to set up 50 multi-product food irradiation units in the MSME sector.
Food irradiation technology extends the shelf life of agrifood products, ensuring they reach consumers in optimal condition while reducing food losses along the production and supply chain.
Irradiation involves exposing food, whether packaged or in bulk, to ionising radiation in a controlled environment. This method reduces the risk of food-borne illnesses by eliminating harmful microorganisms.
It also prevents spoilage by slowing down the process of decay and minimises food loss by delaying premature ripening, germination, or sprouting. It also reduces the need for chemical preservatives, contributing to a more sustainable food supply chain.
Irradiation processing typically requires just one exposure treatment to achieve the desired effects, which simplifies food safety practices, and contributes to cost savings in the food supply chain.
While the concept of using radiation for food preservation is not new, modern interest in food irradiation technology surged after the Codex Alimentarius Commission, part of the Joint Food Standard Programme of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, established global standards.
Food irradiation, much like cooking, is a safe and effective method to ensure food safety. It has been widely adopted, especially in countries with advanced safety standards such as the US, Japan, Australia, Canada and in the EU, where it is extensively used for domestic and export markets.
A notable example of its impact is the 2012 agreement that allowed Indian mangoes to be exported to the US after a 20-year ban.
This breakthrough was achieved by India agreeing to irradiate its mangoes before export to eliminate or significantly reduce the threat of pests, thereby, protecting US domestic agriculture.
India has made significant progress, establishing 34 irradiation processing facilities nationwide. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has played a crucial role in developing this infrastructure, with 16 of these facilities receiving MoFPI support.
While this is commendable, expanding the number and distribution of facilities will further enhance our ability to meet the growing demands of our vibrant agrifood market.
