1. STATUS OF FOOD IRRADIATION IN PAKISTAN By Dr
STATUS OF FOOD IRRADIATION IN PAKISTAN By Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik Member Biosciences Pakaistan Atomic Energy Commission
April 17, 2017

2. ] One third of the world’s food harvest is lost on its way to the consumer from spoilage and disinfections. Beside this, each year, thousand of lives are lost worldwide due to food-borne diseases Losses are especially high in developing countries where transport and storage systems are comparatively older or inadequate, surrounding temperature and humidity are high
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3. PRESERVATION METHODS EVOVLED
Sun Drying
Salting
Cooking
Smoking
Canning
Freezing
Chemical Preservation
Irradiation
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4. The use of food irradiation to reduce food loses has been quite successesful and has been investigated since 1964 by FAO/IAEA Although relatively new commercial process of food irradiation has been studied more thoroughly than any other food preservation technology
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5. IRRADIATION IS A CRITICAL CONTROL MEASURE WHICH FULFILS THE CONDITIONS
It eliminates or reduce pathogenic bacteria
Decontamination of spices and herbs.
Disinfestations of grains and grain products
Extension of shelf Life
Inhibition of Sprouting
Free of Chemical additives
Keeps the food as close as to its natural condition as far as possible
Critical limits are well established for this processing technique
Compliance with critical limits can be accurately monitored through dosimetry
There are no adverse effects from the consumption of irradiated food
April 17, 2017

6. STATUS AND TRENDS IN FOOD IRRADIATION
1964
1974
1980
1983
Today
JECFI evaluated available data
JEC recognized food irradiation as a physical process for food preservation
It is concluded that the irradiation of any commodity upto 10 kGy present no toxicological hazard
International standard for food food irradiation is safe for general application upto 10 kgy & recommended Code of Practice for the operation of food irradiation facilities
60 health and safety authorities in 42 countries have approved irradiation of over 60 different foods & over facilities are present in 35 countries.
April 17, 2017

7. Status of National Clearances
Country
Fruit
Spices
Veg
Cereal
Meat
Seafood
Argentina 
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
China
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Denmark
Finland
France
Hungry
India
Indonesia
Iran
April 17, 2017

8. Country Fruit Spices Veg Cereal Meat Seafood Israel  Italy Japan
S.Korea
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Philippines
Poland
S. Africa
Spain
Syria
Thailand UK
Uruguay
USA
Vietnam
Yugoslavia
April 17, 2017

9. STATUS OF PAKISTAN
Pakistan installed its First Commercial Gamma Irradiator facility for Sterilization of Single Use Medical Products at Lahore PAKISTAN RADIATION STERILIZATION SERVICES (PARAS)
In 1996 as a result of research carried out at NIFA Peshawar Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission applied for license to Irradiate Food Products
Government of Pakistan passed an ordinance on March 7, allowing seven types of items
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10. TREATMENT OF FOOD BY IONIZING RADIATION SRO 166(1)/96, Gazette Notification 3712/96, March 7,1996
Item
Purpose
Max. Dose (kGy)
Bulbs, Roots & Tubers
To inhibit sprouting during storage
0.2
Fresh fruits & vegetables
Improve quality, delaying ripening, control insect infestation,satisfy quarrtine requirements
0.1
Cereal, pulses, vegetables, nuts
Control infestation
1.0
Raw fish, seafood & products
Prolong shelf life, control Hygienic quality
Raw poultry, meat & products
Prolong shelf life-control of hygienic quality
Dried herbs,spices & condiments
Insect infestation, hygienic quality
Dried food of animals
Control of infestation
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11. Country Status Pakistan
Regulations on Food Irradiation
Pakistan has already adopted/approved Food Regulation in March, 1996.
(IAEA Food & Environmental Protection Section)
Authorized Applications of Food Irradiation
The seven categories of food have been recommended by this food regulation (according to recommendation of ICGFI).
.Bulbs Roots & Tubers
.Fresh Fruits and vegetables
.Cereal/pulses vegetables and fruits
.Raw fish, Seafood and their products.
.Raw poultry & meat (fresh & frozen).
.Dried herbs, spices, condiments.
.Dried food animal origin.
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12. Authorization of Food Irradiation Facilities
Research Food Irradiation Facility is available at Nuclear Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Peshawar since 1983.
Utilizes Co-60 source presently have a strength of about 1000 Ci.
Facility is utilized for irradiation of all types of food on experimental purpose.
We are interested to enhance the source strength by replenishment or by adding source to twelve empty tubes.
There is no commercial food irradiation facility.
PARAS P.O. Box 5014, Lahore, Pakistan
(Fax )
April 17, 2017

13. SAFETY OF IRRADIATED FOOD
Does the irradiation process make food radioactive?
Can irradiated food become toxic?
Can eating irradiated food develop abnormal chromosomes ?
Results of human feeding studies of irradiated food
Are Chemical changes or products formed are harmful?
Do free radicals produced affect the safety of food?
Are food with microorganisms are suitable for irradiation?
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14. FOOD IRRADIATION FACILITY
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15. WORLD WIDE UTILIZATION OF FOOD IRRADIATION
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16. Food Irradiation Cost Low dose application Rs 600/ton
High Dose application Rs 6000/ton
Economy of nations depends on trade
Pests, Diseases and food safety are the barriers in food imports & Exports
Food irradiation technology is gaining more and more attention around the world making food trade possible
About 32,000 tons of spices & dried vegetable seasoning are irradiated each year
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17. CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF IRRADIATED FOOD
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18. Market Trials
For marketing and acceptability, irradiated potatoes and onions were evaluated, which revealed that 35% of consumers showed interest in consuming irradiated foods. Since then the acceptability has certainly increased due to the awareness campaign upto 45%.
Trials
In-country shipment trial of potatoes and onions (over km by road) indicated better performance of irradiated root vegetable than untreated controls with regard to their texture and general appearance.
Techno-economic studies on potatoes, onions, cereals, dried fruits, vegetable etc. revealed this technology to be quite economical than conventional cold storage’s and was found feasible under Pakistani conditions.
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19. PAEC’S ROLE IN DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE & AWARENESS
Experts
Arranging National Seminar On Food Irradiation
IAEA/FAO/PAEC
Resource Persons/Experts
Financial support for boarding/lodging of national /international guest speakers
PAEC
Secretariat support
Provision of local services/utilities
Coordination between various national/international agencies
Mobilization of local human resources
Dissemination of information through electronic and print media
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20. PAEC’S ROLE
General
To help in installation of commercial food irradiator in public sector.
To extend training to operate the irradiator for industry and public sector.
Monitoring of irradiator for safety/protection.
To provide education about irradiation Technology to masses.
To advise to the Govt to include Irradiation Processing Technology Courses in the syllabus at undergraduate/ graduate level in all technical institutions in the country.
April 17, 2017

21. IRRADIATION TECHNOLOGY A joint venture of PAEC and PHDEB
Extension of Shelf Life and Disinfestations of Food Items
COMMERCIALIZATION OF
IRRADIATION TECHNOLOGY
A Step Forward to Increase Exports and Meeting The WTO Standards
April 17, 2017
PARAS FOODS (Pvt.) Ltd.
A joint venture of PAEC and PHDEB

22. PAEC’S INITIATIVE
PAEC examined the feasibility of setting up food irradiation plants in Pakistan and find out that It is economical to operate such plants in Pakistan because of local as well as foreign market
The first food irradiation plant (60,000 tons )/year should be set up as an extension of PARAS since infrastructure & manpower exists. It will be operative within a year.
The cost to build a commercial food irradiation plant is in the range of US $3 million to $5 million, depending on its size, processing capacity, and other factors
PAEC will fabricate most of the equipment in its own workshops, reducing capital costs substantially. Plant will be managed by PAEC.
Capital cost will be 74 million only, will be able to payback in 3 years
April 17, 2017

23. Second plant (60 Kt) at Karachi and 15 Kt each at Multan, Peshawar and Quetta and other major export points in the country within 3 years time
The total capacity of these plants will be 225 kilotons/year less than a tenth of the spoilage of fruit.
April 17, 2017