Irradiation is the use of ionizing radiation energy to treat goods to ensure hygiene and safety for products and food. Currently in the world, there are many countries using this technology to process and preserve more than 40 different types of products and foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, shrimp, meat, poultry, medical equipment…

Benefits of food irradiation?

Food irradiation with appropriate doses will help protect consumer health thanks to the ability to eliminate disease-causing bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella... In terms of economics, irradiation brings great benefits from food being preserved longer; Extends usage time and reduces damage thanks to controlling insects and pests; Slows down the ripening process of fruits and prevents the germination of tubers such as potatoes, purple onions, ginger...

Irradiation method does not make food radioactive, does not change the quality or reduce nutritional value, but also has a preservation effect; Control factors that affect users and serve Vietnam's agricultural export process. Depending on the type of item and purpose, the food irradiation process uses an appropriate radiation dose (Gy) that does not exceed the prescribed limit.

Is food irradiation safe?

International agencies include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); International Health Organization (WHO) and International Standards Committee (CAC) has evaluated and investigated irradiated food projects to confirm the safety and quality of various irradiated products. Investigations show that food irradiation can be used alone or in combination with other methods to improve microbiological safety and prolong food preservation.

Officials of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Department (APHIS - USDA) implement plant quarantine procedures and irradiation treatment at Toan Phat Irradiation Plant

Pests (worms, bugs, etc.) and microorganisms contaminated in food are the cause of significant food loss during storage; transportation and trading (15% for cereals, 20% for fish and dairy products and especially up to 40% for fruits and vegetables). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diseases caused by microbial and parasitic infections are a frequent cause of death worldwide (35%), most of which occur in developing countries. Therefore, many technical processes are used to preserve food such as pasteurization, canning, use of preservatives and irradiation.

In Vietnam, facilities that perform food irradiation and food that is irradiated must comply with safety regulations, according to Decision No. 3616/2004/QD-BYT dated October 14, 2004 of the Ministry of Health promulgating "Regulations on hygiene and safety for foods preserved by irradiation".

Irradiation of fresh fruit (food irradiation) for export

Most markets require fruit to be irradiated before importation, and irradiation is a technical barrier to prevent pests that can travel with exported products into the importing country. Therefore, when Vietnamese fruits are exported to countries such as the US, Australia, New Zealand,...; Fresh fruit is subject to absolute censorship and must comply with technical regulations on cultivation and product quality. In particular, fruits must meet the plant quarantine requirements of importing countries and must be irradiated or treated with hot steam before import.

For labeling of irradiated food packaging, in addition to mandatory information according to the law on food labeling, there must be the words: "Irradiated food"; or label irradiated food with the "Radura" symbol.

Toan Phat Irradiation Factory reduces 15% of irradiation treatment service fees for the Seafood industry (until November 30, 2023)

Officially put into operation in 2018, Toan Phat Irradiation Factory has been granted a license to operate irradiation equipment from the Ministry of Science and Technology; is one of the pioneers in applying all three of the most advanced irradiation technologies today: Cobalt-60, E-Beam, X-Ray. All modern facilities and equipment meet the requirements for effective irradiation, speed up the processing of irradiated goods, and improve service quality; Reduce waiting time and optimize costs for customers.

Toan Phat Irradiation Factory:

Hotline: 092 452 1888 – 092 452 3888

Website: www.chieuxatoanphat.vn

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/chieuxatoanphat

Address: Lot A24-1, Ngang 1 Street, An Thanh Industrial Park, An Thanh Commune, Ben Luc District, Long An Province.

Reference:

- https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-irradiation-what-you-need-know

- https://cesti.gov.vn/bai-viet/suoi-nguon-tri-thuc/chieu-xa-de-xuat-khau-trai-cay-01001061-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

- https://tytphuong15qtb.medinet.gov.vn/an-toan-thuc-pham/an-toan-thuc-pham-c9922-39624.aspx

- https://ictvietnam.vn/hieu-qua-bao-quan-thuc-pham-trai-cay-tu-phuong-phap-chieu-xa-28199.html