Current status and regulation of food irradiation
It is estimated by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations that 25 to 35 percent of world food production is lost through natural causes such a pests, microbes, and insects. In the ASEAN countries alone, postharvest losses of cereals are estimated at 30 percent, fruits and vegetables at 20 to 40 percent, and up to 50 percent for fish. Some products in Africa suffer postharvest losses as high as 50 percent. One of the best responses to the problem of world hunger is preservation of what has already been grown. If postharvest losses worldwide could be minimized, food supply gains could be made without allocation of additional resources. The problems of food production, processing and storage require a continuing search for effective, technically and economically feasible alternative methods of food preservation. Food irradiation is not a panacea for this problem, however. Alone, it cannot change conditions or solve the problems of world hunger, but it can become a factor in the improvement of conditions where improved human nutrition is an immediate need. Food irradiation has progressed steadily over the past 40 years in terms of research, development, and legislative or regulatory activities.
- OSTI ID:
- 5131868
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870822-; TRN: 88-020399
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Institute of Chemical Engineers summer national meeting, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 16 Aug 1987; Other Information: Technical Paper 29A
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
FOOD
IRRADIATION
FOOD INDUSTRY
EVALUATION
GLOBAL ASPECTS
REGULATIONS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
FAO
FOOD PROCESSING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMICS
INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PROCESSING
553004* - Agriculture & Food Technology- Food Protection & Preservation- (1987-)
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology
290500 - Energy Planning & Policy- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation