The review provided evidence that participation in the regional program contributed to changes in politics and the implementation of radiation of food.
The report evaluates the impact of food safety programs from 2020 to 2024 in the Asia -Tikhoocaanian region. Projects were concentrated on radiation of food food and nuclear methods for authentication of food origin. Irradiation kills bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms, but does not make food radioactive.
The programs were supported in accordance with the regional cooperative agreement on research, development and training related to nuclear science and technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) help countries develop and apply nuclear methods to increase food safety and control.
Impact assessment
Evidence comes from Online -question 19 gamesMagate data, expert analysis, five thematic research and expenses and benefits from 1999 to 2023. Eighteen responded to an examination of the irradiation of the food product and 14 for examining the authentication of food products.
Seven respondents determined the improvement in consumers in relation to food radiation and/or authentication of food, 12 said that only consumer awareness improved, and four said that there was no increase in awareness or acceptance.
For the authenticity of food origin, the main negative impact is significant initial investments for the creation of technical infrastructure.
The impact assessment showed that the program supported countries to increase local examination by training between 93 and 259 people in each aspect of the radiation of food product and from 10 to 63 people in authentication of food origin.
Training on the irradiation of food ranged from sanitary and phytosanitarian treatment to microbiological safety.
The program also helped create infrastructure for the analysis of food, irradiation and authentication through the creation of 128 objects oriented to these methods and realized economic benefits by reducing the cost of food products and food waste.
Examples of the country
China, India, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam have more than five objects, but not all irradiated food for commercial purposes. The data before the end of 2023 shows that China is irradiation on an annual basis for more than 1 million tons, followed by Vietnam and India, both in more than 100,000 tons and in Australia with 10,000 tons.
Thailand uses the technology of irradiation on products for domestic consumption and exports. It is often used on NAEM, fermented pork, to eliminate potential microorganisms and extend the service life of the shelf, postponing the development of acidity.
O radiation of food products increases the competitiveness of Thailand in international markets due to compliance with food safety standards of some fresh products, especially in export areas such as Australia, New Zealand and United States.
Myanmar is irradiations of eight types of food, while Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam irradiate seven. The best irradiated products were herbs, spices, vegetables and fresh fruits.
Malaysia uses nuclear methods to test the authenticity and origin of a number of food products, including Halal products. In Japan, development was due to the growing problem of falsification of food and improper activity, especially in products such as rice, honey, beef and eel.
“The analysis of social costs and benefits calculated that the program probably created a greater economic value than its consumption from 1999 to 2022,” the report said.
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