Irradiation, a new sterilization and preservation technology, uses (cesium 137, cobalt 60, etc. Sterilize and inactivate cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat, condiments and medicines. China's grain production has accounted for one third of the global total.
Radiation can kill bacteria, yeasts and yeasts, and these microorganisms can cause fresh food to rot like fruits and vegetables. Irradiated food can keep its original flavor for a long time, and it can also keep its original taste.
Food irradiation technology is a sterilization and fresh-keeping technology developed in the 20th century with the patent of 1905. Based on radiation processing technology, food is processed by using high-energy rays generated by ionizing radiation such as X-ray, γ-ray or high-speed electron beam.
Achieve the purposes of killing insects, sterilizing, inhibiting physiological processes, improving food hygiene quality, maintaining nutritional quality and flavor, and prolonging shelf life. Radiation can also kill insects, eggs and larvae in food.
Irradiation standard
Since 1990s, the number of irradiated foods in China has increased rapidly. At present, irradiation technology is mostly used in dehydrated vegetables, condiments, pet food, pollen, cooked livestock and poultry meat, instant tea and other foods.
In 2002, China's irradiated food exceeded 654.38 million tons, ranking first in the world. Many laws and regulations in China require that the "irradiated food" sterilized by radioactive elements be clearly marked on the outer packaging.
Each food has different radiation dose standards. As long as the reasonable dosage standard is implemented, the nutrients in irradiated food will hardly be destroyed. Tocopherol and selenium are easily destroyed during cooking and frying. The retention rate after irradiation can be as high as over 90%.
The international demonstration and experiment on food irradiation safety began as early as the 1960s. After long-term animal experiments and human experiments, it is proved that agricultural and sideline products and their processed products do not produce radioactive and toxic substances under a certain dose of irradiation, and have no effect on nutritional value.