Question

Discuss the purpose, process, and possible risks from food irradiation.

Answer 1

Food irradiation is a technology that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects.

The purpose of food irradiation are as follows:-

• Prevention of foodborne Illness
• To destroy or inactivate organisms that cause spoilage and decomposition and extend the shelf life of foods.
• To control or destroy insects in or on tropical fruits
• Irradiation can be used to sterilize foods, which can then be stored for years without refrigeration.
• To inhibit sprouting (e.g., potatoes) and delay ripening of fruit to increase longevity.

There are three processes of food irradiation which are as follows:-

• X-rays are produced by reflecting a high-energy stream of electrons off a target substance into food. X-rays are also widely used in medicine and industry to produce images of internal structures.
• Gamma rays are emitted from radioactive forms of the element cobalt or cesium. Gamma radiation is used routinely to sterilize medical, dental, and household products and is also used for the radiation treatment of cancer.
• Electron beam is similar to X-rays and is a stream of high-energy electrons propelled from an electron accelerator into food.

The risks from food irradiation are as follows:-

• When food is exposed to high doses of ionising radiation, the chemical composition and nutritional content of food can change. Radiolytic by-products are often formed in irradiated food. One such chemical is 2-DCB which can cause DNA damage in rat colon cells at high doses.
• Irradiating fruit and vegetables to extend their shelf life can mislead consumers by making 'old' food look 'fresh'. The greater the age of fruit and vegetables, the lower their nutritional value, not to mention the effects of ageing on their tastes and flavours.
• Workers risk accidental exposure to dangerous levels of radiation, particularly at irradiation plants using radioactive sources.
• Accidents at radioactive irradiation plants have already led to radioactive spills and contamination of surrounding land and water resources. This could happen again.