20000 Million Tonnes Of Food Is Irradiated In India Reports Department Of Atomic Energy

Irradiation of food is done to increase its safety by removing microorganisms as well as increase its shelf life. According to a report presented by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in a parliamentary panel, 20000 Million Tonnes of food and food products are irradiated in the country. This report was presented by the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests on Wednesday in the Parliament reports Business Insider.

Food Safety In India

“Annually, about 20,000 million tonnes (MT) of food and allied products are being irradiated in the country. These include agricultural produce such as onion, potato, mango, grains and other products such as onion powder, garlic powder, spices, ayurvedic products and animal feed. Currently 15 irradiation plants are functional in the country. Recent research and development has resulted in harmonisation of food irradiation rules with the international regulation through adoption of class-wise clearance of irradiated food items by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for large,” says the report by the DAE as reported by the Business Insider.

“The Committee commends the role played by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in food irradiation technology. This technology developed by BARC known as Trombay crop varieties needs to be popularised in the states where they are currently not cultivated,” said the parliamentary panel.