Radiation Processing Technology

Radiation Processing Technology

(a)  Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, amended the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules (1954) in 1994, permitting irradiation of onion, potato and spices for internal marketing and consumption in India. Subsequently, a number of other food items were permitted for radiation processing. Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), under which financial assistance is given for setting up of the food-processing infrastructure, including irradiation facility.

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(b)  Taking into account studies undertaken by World Health Organisation, Food & Agricultural Organisation and International Atomic Energy Agency, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has endorsed the safety of this technology.

(c)   As informed by BARC, there are 16 irradiation plants operational as on date and another 8 plants will be functional in the year 2019-2020. (Annexure-I).

(d)  As informed by BARC, the estimated cost of setting up a commercial irradiation facility comes in the range of Rs. 15-20 crores excluding land cost.

(e)  As informed by BARC, in the year 2019-2020, 8 new plants are expected to be functional.

ANNEXURE– I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 436 FOR ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2019 REGARDING RADIATION PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

Radiation processing plants in India are as follows:

S. No. Name

of the Plant
Purpose Commissioning

Year
1
Radiation Processing Plant, BRIT, Vashi, Navi Mumbai –
400075
Food and allied products
2000
2
KRUSHAK Irradiator, Lasalgaon, Nashik – 411037, Maharashtra Food Products
2002
3
M/S Organic Green Foods Ltd., Dankuni, Kolkata, West Bengal Food, Packaging & Medical Products
2004
4
M/S A.V. Processors Pvt. Ltd., Ambernath (E), Thane,
Maharashtra
Food & Medical Products
2005
5
M/S Universal Medicap Ltd., Vadodara, Gujarat Food & Medical Products
2005
6
M/S. Microtrol, Bangalore, Karnataka Food & Medical Products
2006
7
M/S Agrosurg Irradiators, Vasai, Thane, Maharashtra Food, Packaging & Medical Products
2008
8
M/S Gamma Agro Medical Processing, Hyderabad, Telangana Food & Medical Products
2008
9
M/S Jhunsons Chemicals Pvt Ltd., Bhiwadi, Rajasthan Agro, Medical & Packaging Products
2010
10
M/S Innova Agri Bio Park Ltd., Malur, Dist. Kolar,
Karnataka
Food & Medical Products
2011
11
M/S Hindustan Agro Co-Operative Ltd., Rahuri, Ahmednagar,
Maharashtra
Onion & Other Agricultural Produces
2012
12
M/S Impartial Agro Tech (P) Ltd., Unnao, Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh
Food & Medical Products
2014
13
M/S Gujarat Agro Industries Corpn. Ltd, Bavla, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat
Food Products
2014
14
M/s Aligned Industries, Dharuhera, Rewari, Haryana Food Products
2015
15
Maharashtra State Agricultural Mktg. Board, Navi Mumbai,
Maharashtra
Food Products
2015
16
Electromagnetic Industries, Vadodara, Gujarat Food Products
2019

New Food Irradiation Facilities to be Functional in 2019-20

  1. Pinnacle Therapeutics Private Limited, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
  2. Avanti Mega Food Park, Devas, MP
  3. Jamnadas Industries, Indore, MP
  4. AMTZ Vizag, AP
  5. M S V Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, Midnapur (E), WB
  6. Solas Industries, Mathura, UP
  7. A V Gammatech, Ambernath, MH
  8. Tamilnadu State Agricultural Marketing Board (TNAMB), Pochampalli, TN

The above statement was submitted by Ministry of Food Processing Industries of undermentioned Lok Sabha Question:-
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

LOK SABHA 
STARRED QUESTION NO. 436
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2019 

RADIATION PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

436.  DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE
         SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

  • (a) Whether the Government proposes to adopt radiation processing technology developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for preservation and conservation of fruits and vegetables including onions, potatoes and tomatoes to address the issue of supply side shortage that often results in price rise and if so, the details thereof;
  • (b) whether the Government has undertaken any study regarding safety concerns related to the radiation processing technology and if so, the outcome thereof;
  • (c) the  places  identified  for  setting  up  of radiation  processing  plants  in the  country including Maharashtra;
  • (d) the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon; and
  • (e) the time by which these radiation plants are likely to be set up?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES 
(SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 436 FOR ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2019 REGARDING RADIATION PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY.

As above
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