Nuclear technology continues to contribute to enhanced food safety
Source: IAEA website. Date: 2015-08-26.
In recent years, the frequent exposure of horse meat stuffed beef, melamine milk powder, and inferior rice and honey has prompted the discussion of food safety issues in the international community. Food-borne diseases are also threatening human health. Food safety involves production, processing, preparation, storage, and the quality of the food itself. There are many sources of pollution in the food and agricultural production chain, such as agricultural chemical residues and natural toxins. The economic impact of food contamination and fraud is huge. It is estimated that the losses caused by food fraud each year are as high as billions of dollars, affecting up to 10% of the food sold.
The International Atomic Energy Agency's IAEA this year set food safety as the theme to celebrate World Health Day. The IAEA also highlighted the important role nuclear technology can play in controlling food-borne diseases and detecting, monitoring and tracking food contamination. Nuclear technology can help Member States ensure food safety and the continuous production of high-quality food.
There is a unique inter-agency cooperation between IAEA and FAO (FAO), which contributes to the safety of the global food industry by formulating complementary responsibilities, setting common goals, joint projects and funding, and coordinated management. The IAEA and the World Food Organization (FAO) have also launched a special project focusing on food and environmental protection. One of the ways to promote food safety is to build a simulated sustainable laboratory network and improve food safety and control systems.
In addition, the IAEA has also established a large number of on-site projects to help member countries solve food safety issues, save money or reduce economic losses.
Nuclear screening technology, such as radiological testing, can detect food contamination in the laboratory or on-site. In addition, the isotope ratio method can provide a unique way to trace back to the origin of the food. In this regard, the Joint FAO / IAEA Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory can provide IAEA member countries with chemical residue analysis, food traceability technical services, and laboratory technical training.
The application level of irradiation technology in food processing is constantly increasing. Food irradiation is a control technology, which mainly uses gamma rays, X-rays, or high-energy electron beams to suppress food spoilage and eliminate food-borne pathogens and post-harvest pest control. FAO / IAEA supports the development of this technology through the establishment of joint projects.
IAIA's activities in the field of food safety are providing strong support for international standards for food irradiation, application of standards, and standards related to the use of nuclear or related analytical technologies.