In 1983 and 1998 the World Health Organization (WHO has been declared that the radiation food is safe and does not have the problem of toxicology, nutrition and microbiology. 1984 the Codex Alimentarius Commission CA C through the irradiated food general specification "and" food irradiation facilities Recommended Practice for "standard, food irradiation technology in the disposal of the inhibition of rhizome crops germination, exterminate grain and food of pests and microorganisms and prolong the shelf life of food has to get more widespread commercial application, at present, more than 40 countries approved 200 kinds of irradiated food. In total market sales of about 30 million tons. The fast development of food irradiation technology has caused the attention of the international organizations, especially the standard setting organizations. In order to guide the "radiation"

The two aspects of the application of C CA and the International Commission for plant maintenance on IPPC are being developed or revised in regard to

International standard for food irradiation

CA C - General specification for irradiated food "and" food irradiation facilities recommendations"

C1983 CA general specification for irradiation food and Recommended Practice for food irradiation facilities have laid the legality of food irradiation technology, but the safe dosage of irradiation in the specification is below 10kGy. With the development and application of food irradiation technology, the standard was approved in 1999 by the international food irradiation Advisory Group (ICGFI.

Fierce controversy in the process of revision of the standard, to cancel the irradiation disposal 10kGy limit the main revised contents of the, the European Union, Japan, Korea and other countries in irradiated with safety of fatty food of cyclobutanone substances did not get confirmed and 10kGy dose above has no practical grounds, insist on not agree to remove the 10kGy irradiation dose limit, and states, icgfi Philippines, China and other agricultural products exporter that irradiation fat of cyclobutanone substances no peace issues. On the application of more than 10 kGy dose, the delegates referred to Africa for a long shelf life, food, some EU countries supplies to low immunity patients meals, Australia approved kGy irradiation disposal of spices and other examples show that high dose irradiation or the application that EU insisted no scientific basis, continue to keep removed "10kGy irradiation dose limit will be beneficial for the future development of food irradiation, will to a certain number of countries is thus set trade barriers provide justification.

The final draft of the revised, the comprehensive view of the parties, the need for the case, can be applied to 10kGy above the radiation dose disposal, and explain that the 10kGy above the standard of radiation is the standard by which consumers can reduce the food safety concerns, and promote the development of food irradiation technology international trade.

Identification method for food "- CA C irradiation and the relevant provisions of the identification of irradiated food

In 2001 CA C the 24th meeting to approve the identification method for food irradiation "international norms, by the European Union put forward and build on the EU's norms on the basis of the standard give the methods for food irradiation identification: the method by gas chromatography for the determination of carbohydrate fat irradiated food containing; for irradiated food containing fat by GC-MS Determination of 2 - ring ketone content method; for containing the bones of the food by electron spin resonance (ESR analysis method; to contain cellulose food by electron spin resonance (ESR analysis method; to isolated silicate minerals in food by thermal luminescence method. The standard is proposed to provide a method for the implementation of the provisions and standards for the identification of irradiated food.

C1985 CA, in 1991, and in revised the pre packaged food labels general specification, the provisions of the 5.2 irradiation food, the food labeling on the ionizing radiation, must be close to the food in the name of the food by irradiation treatment; ingredients in the irradiated food must also be specified in the.

Although the identification of irradiated food is provided in this international standard, the controversy has not stopped. Support that consumers have the right to know, irradiation disposal must be marked; opponents think since irradiation disposal by years of research that is a food processing method of physical security, like a hot processing, need not mark, mark is conducive to the development of food irradiation, does have a food merchants and manufacturers of irradiated food worried consumers to "irradiation" identifies the error understanding without identifying. With the gradual acceptance of consumer food, believe that the problem will be identified in the consumer's understanding.

- International Plant Maintenance committee "irradiation as a phytosanitary method"

As early as the initial stage of the development and application of food irradiation technology in 1950s, people recognized the possibility of irradiation as a quarantine disposal method, but in the international trade of the time, the main treatment method of commodity quarantine is the treatment of goods, and the radiation treatment has no economic feasibility. Because of the harm to the environment and the health of the operators, the main fumigation agent has been disabled or gradually disabled. For example, for the main fumigants because it makes animal carcinogen by the United States in 1984, followed by other national disabled disabled. 1990 years ago, Europe and China's massive use of ethylene oxide also because of its carcinogenic effect, has now been banned in europe. According to the Montreal agreement in 1997, another widely used fumigation agent for methyl bromide will be in the near future in the global gradually disable, looking for alternative fumigation quarantine disposal method has become a top priority. Previous studies have shown that the unique advantages of irradiation, which cause the attention of international organizations and governments. Since 1990s, the study on irradiation and quarantine in the world has become more and more deeply.

On the basis of the recognition of regional plant maintenance organization, the International Commission on plant maintenance (IPPC, the third meeting of the provisional Committee on health measures (ICPM2001, the fifth meeting of the meeting, the international standard for the development of plant safety measures as a plant health method is now officially adopted in 2003 ICPM. The standard of the pass will be IPPC for the first time to develop a specification for a quarantine disposal method.

- irradiated food certification

ICGFI2000 in Sydney and in 2001 in Brazil held two irradiation as sanitary and phyto sanitary disposal methods of certification seminars, come to the same conclusion is needed to establish a food irradiation international trade certification standard, and the development of the world trade in food and agricultural products certification guidelines after icgfi has organized experts to discuss, irradiation disposal certification according to the irradiation to improve sanitation is safe or irradiation as a quarantine to different established different certification system. In order to improve the safety and safety of food for the purpose of food certification standards for the certification of C CA specification, and in accordance with the C CA code to modify the above guidelines. February 2002, C CA food import and export supervision and certification system of the standard committee considered to accept the name of non quarantine purposes in international trade for food certification request and quarantine for the purpose of irradiation food certification will be incorporated into the IPPC certification series.

Specification and application of food irradiation in major countries

The development of food irradiation technology in the world is not balanced. Countries in the consideration of their own interests are conducive to the formulation of laws and regulations, the solution will be conducive to the application and development of food irradiation technology in china.

The United States Food Irradiation - Specification

The United States is the world's largest food and agricultural products market, is the world of irradiated food is the most thorough one of the countries, in order to ensure their agricultural products and food safety and international trade, attaches great importance to the irradiation so as to improve the food security and as a quarantine disposal methods for research and construction of laws and regulations, and successful commercial applications.

Food irradiation standard formulation, the government of the United States early in the year 196367 approved irradiation of wheat and wheat products, potatoes, bacon and packaging materials, endorsed spices (highest allowable dose of 30kgy pork anti Trichinella spiralis, grain disinsection and fresh fruits and vegetables extended shelf life of irradiation treatment in 198386, the effects of irradiation disposal of large 2000 approved red meat products. United States due to pathogenic microorganisms caused several large-scale food poisoning, the American social acceptance of food irradiation technology, radiation is the only effective sterilization technology of frozen fresh food. The OmahaSteak company since November 2000 to May 2003 has market provides tens of millions of pounds of irradiated patties, irradiation can ensure hamburger patties no harm people's health Escherichia coli o

Irradiation as a quarantine treatment method, early in 1989 the United States government promulgated relevant irradiation as a disposal method for plant health regulatory policies, after the gradual modification and increase product, May 2000 USDA Aphis through the irradiation as fresh water, vegetable and horticultural products and quarantine disposal method "proposed regulations for release, allow irradiation as a quarantine method of disposal of imported fruits and vegetables in 11 major fruit fly and mango weevils, 2002 March Aphis and supplemental draft of the regulations, the introduction of the regulations indicate the American market for the first time in quarantine to irradiation treatment of fruits and vegetables and opening to the outside world. In March 2003, the United States of California "Mexican fruit fly" epidemic of grapefruit and citrus. After irradiation as a quarantine treatment to kill pests after sold throughout the United States. The United States government and the market for radiation technology, will be the technology in the world to develop a positive role in promoting.

- the EU rules for food irradiation

The EU Directive on food irradiation has two, that is, the "ion irradiation treatment of food" framework directive 19992EC and the implementation of directive 19993EC the first Directive provides for the implementation of the overall concept of radiation treatment and technical requirements, the labeling of irradiated food and the authorization of the irradiation facility. The second Directive provides for the food that is allowed in the European Union, which is currently only allowed to dispose of a type of material for the disposal of herbs, spices and plants.

Overall, the EU has a fairly strict and cautious approach to radiation exposure. ICGFI recommends the use of food by the member states in accordance with the approval of the seven categories of food, a lot of member states including China and so on the existing regulations have been adjusted. But in accordance with the EU regulations, since March 20, 2001 onwards, any of the food outside of the EU are not allowed in addition to the EU regulations, the European Union, Belgium, France, Italy, Holland and the United Kingdom and other EU member states according to the previous regulations, the current permit other irradiation food into its market.

In accordance with the provisions of these regulations, the European Union since the establishment of the annual radiation food status of the system in 2001. In the speech, the Member States mainly reports the authorization of the irradiation facility and the inspection results of the irradiation facility, including the amount and type of the food, the quantity and the identification of the irradiated food. In 2002, 8 of the 6500 countries through the market for sample monitoring, about 1.5% of the sample is irradiated but not identified, which also includes the EU does not allow food types, the EU hopes to reduce the number of food by monitoring the number of these.

Develop - Australia and New Zealand food irradiation specification

Australia, New Zealand has been of food irradiation to strict attitude and several of the world have strict quarantine requirements of one of the countries, but with the development of food irradiation technology in the world, Australia and New Zealand Food Standard (FSA NZ2001 in May received application (application No. 443 code revision 1.5.3- food irradiation, the requirements on the original permit irradiation treatment of herbs, spices and herbs extract based on that allows mechanical source of electron beam and X-ray irradiation treatment of tropical fruit, in the hope that irradiation as a quarantine can replace the current chemical disposal (fumigation treatment) to promote fruit production in Australia.

At present the application has through the FSA NZ two rounds of evaluation, evaluation through speech in the FSA's Committee on NZ, submitted to the Australia New Zealand Food Regulations Ministerial Council (ANZFRMC for examination and approval. The approval of the standard will allow Australia, New Zealand, to carry out radiation quarantine treatment of tropical fruit.

To formulate relevant norms of food irradiation - Canada

Canada in February 2003 began to amend the "food and drug regulation 1094- food irradiation" existing 1094 rules allow irradiation treatment is applied the following: irradiated potatoes and onions for the control of germination; wheat, flour and whole wheat flour irradiation pest control; irradiation of spices and dehydrated bacteria reducing. Revised will add the following content: Mango insecticidal irradiation; irradiation fresh poultry meat and frozen poultry meat control pathogens and prolong the shelf life; irradiated fresh, dried or pretreatment of shrimp and frozen shrimp control pathogenic bacteria and extend the shelf life; irradiation frozen broken beef control pathogenic bacteria and extend the shelf life.

Health Canada scientists in the assessment of irradiated food is safe and effective, it was agreed that irradiated food consumption of consumer health without any harm; irradiation can not damage or loss of food nutrients; amended the rules allow the will of irradiated foods for control of pathogens and pests infection is reduced and to improve food safety.

Japan and South Korea. The attitude to food irradiation

The potato irradiation facility in Hokkaido, Japan, is the world's earliest commercial operation of the irradiation facility, but Japan has not approved the irradiation of other foods in 1972, which has been approved for the suppression of potato irradiation. In 2002, there was a domestic industry association to put forward the application of the application of the irradiation of spices, there is no approval of the news.

In recent years, South Korea attaches great importance to the research on food irradiation, heavily subsidized food irradiation studies based on, May 2003 investment 5 million dollars established a new radiation research and application of cutting-edge research institute Korea respectively in 1987, 1991 and 1995 were approved with a 19 food irradiation. At present, there are two food irradiation commercial facilities, but irradiation using only a small amount of spices and dehydrated vegetables.

State of development

Under the support of the Chinese government and EA IA, China has carried out extensive research in the process of irradiation food, food quality assurance, packaging materials, human trials and economic feasibility assessment. From 19841996 years, the Chinese government has approved 18 kinds of food hygiene standards, according to the ICGFI recommended by the Chinese Ministry of health in 1997, six types of food hygiene standards. During the Ninth Five Year Plan ", the Academy of atoms can Utilization Research Institute under the auspices of the national key project of" Research on food irradiation processing "a total of 33 process standards, according to the study results, State Bureau of Technical Supervision approved 17 food irradiation process specification. In 1986, the Ministry of Health announced, 1996 revised food hygiene management regulations, food management regulations, after 40 years of efforts, China has so far been built more than 100 thousand Co source of more than 50, 24 cities in 36 provinces and cities in the commercialization of food and agricultural products. In 2002, the total amount of food and agricultural products in the whole year reached more than 10 tons, and the main products of irradiation treatment were as sweet as spices, dehydrated vegetables and cereals. China is one of the countries in the world, which is widely used in the world.

As the world's largest exporter of agricultural products, import and export of irradiation and quarantine disposal of the international norms and the world trade in the main IPPC of the recent ban on the use of methyl bromide, believe that irradiation will certainly have a certain share in the future of international trade. Although it is a quarantine disposal method, but no specific implementation code, there is no practical application, in the next few years focus on the development of the field.

The national standard method and food irradiation management method have the characteristics of food labeling, but it is difficult to see the identification of irradiated food in the market. The European Union in the market for food sold in the results of spot checks found no identification of irradiated frozen aquatic products and spices, etc., which should cause the attention of the relevant departments of our country, on the prohibition of the country to food or to identify the grounds for the establishment of new technical barriers.

The Ministry of agriculture in April 2002 set up a center for quality supervision and inspection of irradiated products to strengthen the management of the whole nation's products and irradiation facilities. Chinese government organizations involved in the development of food irradiation in the 7 ministries in November 2001, the establishment of food irradiation consultation and coordination of the expert group (EGCCFI coordination of food irradiation policies and regulations and management and information exchange between various ministries.

In order to ensure the quality of irradiated food and the management of irradiated food, the standard of food irradiation should be perfected or established:

Hygienic standard for irradiated aquatic products.

ICGFI recommended by the class approved irradiation food in China has approved the six category, only the health of the remaining irradiation water products are not approved. Food irradiation is the only technology that can carry out sterilization treatment for frozen food, and it will not affect the external condition and internal quality of frozen product. Irradiation treatment of aquatic products is also the world in addition to the material, the root of the plant to inhibit the germination of the main radiation treatment of food, such as frozen shrimp in Southeast Asia, France's frog legs. There is no national standard to make our country's aquatic products irradiation treatment is not legal, the impact of the development of China in this area.

Process specification - irradiated food

As mentioned above, states have ratified the Ninth Five Year Plan "period to develop the 33 irradiation process specification of 17, 16 process specification is not approved and need to approve these specifications as soon as possible, to enable irradiated food process of laws.

- irradiated food management

The processing and disposal of irradiated food should also follow the relevant quality control standards, according to the international standard of food by 7 kinds of food, need to develop the CCP HA certification standards for their food.

The qualification certification of the irradiation device in China has not been standardized, which affects the international trade and the international processing of the irradiated food. Need to develop the national standards for the irradiation device (which can be used for authentication) as soon as possible.

The issue of food labeling has been attached importance to the European Union, and its impact is likely to be similar to the requirements of genetically modified food.

Countries should strengthen propaganda of food irradiation, through various channels to the advantages and limitations of consumers and enterprises to understand the food irradiation, the increase of irradiated food acceptance, organized to promote the study of irradiated food market, so as to promote market standardization of food irradiation, food irradiation technology for the protection of China's food safety play a role.

In the new century, the theme of food development is health, safety, health and nutrition, food irradiation technology to its distinctive characteristics, to ensure food hygiene, safety, reduce pollution, residue, ensure environmental safety plays an irreplaceable role. After China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO, China's international trade in food and agricultural products must comply with the WTO agreement (IPPC and technical barriers to trade (SPS and technical barriers to trade (TBTSPS confessed to the CAC related to the food safety standards and regulations on plant quarantine,

Therefore, the relevant regulations of the solution and the study of the irradiation technology will be beneficial to the protection of food and agricultural products import trade in our country under the rule of WTO.

Data link food irradiation technology

Food irradiation is a new technology for the treatment of the material or food, which is based on the physical, chemical and biological effects caused by the interaction between 60Co (), electron beam, or X rays. Food irradiation has been proved to be an effective method to improve the food safety and prolong the shelf life of food, and has the advantages of convenient operation, no two pollution, safe and reliable and economical application. Spices and dehydrated vegetables irradiation sterilization is the main application field of food irradiation technology, Cereals, pulses irradiating pests, dried fruit radiation disinfestation of mildew, irradiation control of frozen and chilled meat pathogens, irradiation control aquatic products freezing and cold storage of pathogenic bacteria, irradiation sterilization of cooked meat products, irradiated fresh fruits and vegetables extended shelf life. As a kind of broad-spectrum and effective method for the treatment of agricultural products and food, irradiation has a very good application prospect.