Food Irradiation

An Established Food Processing Technology for Food Safety and Security

  • Rita Singh DRDO-Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Pithoragarh - 262 501, India
  • Antaryami Singh DRDO-Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Pithoragarh - 262 501, India
Keywords: Food irradiation; Gamma radiation; Wholesomeness; Nutritional adequacy

Abstract

Food irradiation is a well-established and effective technology for food processing and preservation. The technology aids in reducing food losses and ensuring food safety by elimination of pathogens and parasites causing illness and death. Radiation treatment can be applied to agricultural produce and animal food products to get extended shelf life with improved microbiological safety and quality. Irradiating food can greatly reduce illness from foodborne pathogens thereby preventing morbidity and mortality. Various national and international food and health organisations have endorsed and supported the safety of food and foodstuffs subjected to ionising radiation based on the research and testing data of more than 50 year. A review is presented on the historical developments of food irradiation technology, radiation sources for treatment of food and, the safety and wholesomeness of foods processed by ionising radiation.

Author Biographies

Rita Singh, DRDO-Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Pithoragarh - 262 501, India

Dr Rita Singh obtained her MSc and PhD (Microbiology) from
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Presently, she
is working as Scientist F and Officer-in-Charge at DRDO-Defence
Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Field Station, Pithoragarh.
She has made contributions in the field of radiation processing,
tissue banking, bioremediation and nanotechnology

Antaryami Singh, DRDO-Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Pithoragarh - 262 501, India

Dr Antaryami Singh obtained his MSc and PhD (Botany)
from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Presently, he is
working as Scientist F and Head, Seed Science and Technology
Division at Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Field
Station, Pithoragarh. He has made contributions in the field
of environmental biology, phytoremediation and radiation
processing

Published
2019-10-21
How to Cite
Singh, R., & Singh, A. (2019). Food Irradiation. Defence Life Science Journal, 4(4), 206-213. https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.4.14397
Section
Special Issue Paper