These facilities are designed to enhance the safety and shelf life of agricultural products, ensuring they reach consumers in optimal condition and reducing food loss along the supply chain
The food industry is a major growth engine, creating jobs, promoting rural and agricultural development, and driving domestic consumption and exports. As India marches towards its goal of ‘Vikasit Bharat by 2047’ in the 78th year of independence, food security and safety are central to this vision. The need of the hour is to ensure that the food reaching our tables is safe from contaminants and to reduce food loss and waste, guaranteeing sufficient and nutritious food for all.
Addressing food loss and waste, especially for perishable items like fruits and vegetables, is key to enhancing food security and sustainability. It ensures fair prices for farmers while preventing wastage. Moreover, with the growing trade of agricultural and processed food products, managing food safety has become even more critical. Countries with stringent import regulations demand robust food safety measures. Food safety incidents can result in serious consequences, from public health crises to disruptions in supply chains and reduced market access. In the Union Budget 2024-25, the Indian government has shown a strong commitment to food safety and security by allocating funds to set up 50 multi-product food irradiation units, particularly targeting the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sectors. These facilities are designed to enhance the safety and shelf life of agricultural products, ensuring they reach consumers in optimal condition and reducing food loss along the supply chain. Countries with advanced food safety systems, such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and Canada, have widely adopted food irradiation for both domestic and export markets. India, too, achieved a significant breakthrough in 2012, when the country’s mangoes were allowed into the US market after agreeing to irradiate them. This measure lifted a 20-year export ban by eliminating pests, thus meeting the phytosanitary standards of the United States.
India has since made commendable progress in adopting food irradiation, establishing 34 irradiation processing facilities across the country. Sixteen of these facilities were supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). However, to meet the growing demand of our vibrant agricultural sector and export markets, it is essential to expand this infrastructure.
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