Uttar Pradesh
Food Irradiation
- 03 Jun 2024
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The government of India plans to use radiation processing (Food Irradiation) to extend the shelf life of a 100,000 tonne onion buffer stock in 2024, aiming to prevent shortages and price hikes.
- India, a major onion exporter, is facing a 16% decline in onion output for the 2023-24 season, bringing production down to an estimated 25.47 million tonnes.
Key Points
- Food irradiation is the process of exposing food and food products to ionising radiation, such as gamma rays, electron beams, or X-rays.
- In India, irradiated food is regulated in accordance with the Atomic Energy (Control of Irradiation of Food) Rules, 1996.
- Significance:
- It is used in food processing to help ensure food safety.
- Seasonal overstocking and long transport times lead to food waste.
- India's hot, humid climate is a breeding ground for spoilage-causing insects and microbes.
- Seafood, meat, and poultry can harbour harmful bacteria and parasites that make people sick.
Onion Production in India
- India is the second-largest (after China) onion-growing country in the world, famous for its pungent onions available year-round.
- Major Onion Producing States:
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are the major onion-producing states.
- Maharashtra ranks first in Onion production with a share of 42.53% followed by Madhya Pradesh with a share of 15.16% in 2021-22 (3rd Advance Estimate).
- Export Destination: Major export destinations of Indian onion include Bangladesh, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
