FOOD IRRADIATION AND COLD CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA

FOOD IRRADIATION AND COLD CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA

 

Food irradiation is an advanced food preservation technique in which food items are exposed to a controlled dose of ionising radiation to destroy harmful bacteria, insects and moulds and to slow down spoilage processes such as ripening and sprouting. The treatment does not make food radioactive and does not reduce its nutritional value. Instead, it improves food safety and extends shelf life, making the food safer for human consumption and suitable for long-distance transport and storage.

 

India is expanding food irradiation facilities under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The objective is to build a seamless system from farm gate to consumer through scientific storage, refrigerated transport, processing and modern preservation technologies. Food irradiation has been included as a critical infrastructure element to reduce post-harvest losses and improve quality control.

 

The scientific safety of food irradiation has been widely accepted globally. International organisations and scientific institutions have confirmed that irradiated food does not pose any health risks and does not become toxic, unsafe or radioactive. In India, gamma irradiation using Cobalt-60 is supplied by the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology under the Department of Atomic Energy, while X-rays and electron beams are also used for different processing needs.

 

In India, irradiation is applied to commodities such as potatoes, onions, spices, cereals, pulses, oilseeds and fruits like mangoes. The process prevents sprouting, destroys pathogens and insect infestations, increases shelf life and enables compliance with export quarantine standards. This makes Indian agricultural products more competitive in international markets and reduces wastage in domestic distribution.

 

Under the cold chain scheme, financial assistance is provided in the form of grants-in-aid to set up food irradiation units. Subsidy is given at thirty five percent of project cost in general areas and fifty percent in difficult areas and for projects by SC, ST, farmer producer organisations and self-help groups, subject to a maximum of ten crore rupees per project. Eligible entities include individuals, companies, cooperatives, NGOs, FPOs, SHGs and public sector units.

 

In July 2025, the government approved a major expansion of the scheme with an additional allocation, raising the total PMKSY outlay to six thousand five hundred and twenty crore rupees up to March 2026. From this, one thousand crore rupees has been earmarked for the establishment of fifty multi-product food irradiation units and one hundred NABL-accredited food testing laboratories. The added irradiation capacity is expected to reach twenty to thirty lakh metric tonnes annually.

 

As of June 2025, three hundred and ninety five integrated cold chain projects had been approved since the launch of the scheme. Out of these, two hundred and ninety one projects had become operational, creating a preservation capacity of over twenty five lakh metric tonnes per year and processing capacity of more than one hundred fourteen lakh metric tonnes. These projects have generated over one lakh seventy thousand jobs across the country.

 

By August 2025, sixteen multi-product food irradiation projects had been sanctioned across India, out of which nine were operational and seven were under implementation. More than one hundred crore rupees were approved as grants for these projects, with over sixty eight crore already released. This shows steady progress in expanding scientific storage and preservation infrastructure.

 

Food irradiation has major economic and social significance. It reduces post-harvest losses, stabilises food prices, increases farmer income and strengthens food security. It also improves export potential by meeting sanitary and phytosanitary standards of importing countries. In addition, it enhances public health by reducing the risk of foodborne diseases through better microbial control.

 

Consumers are advised to check quality certification marks, food safety licence numbers, fortification symbols and nutritional labels while purchasing irradiated or processed foods. Correct labelling provides assurance about safety, composition and quality. Awareness about irradiation helps remove misconceptions and encourages acceptance of scientifically safe food technologies.

 

Overall, food irradiation combined with cold chain infrastructure represents a shift towards a modern, resilient and efficient food system in India. With strong policy support and growing investment, India is building a scientific and sustainable agri-food ecosystem that reduces waste, protects public health and ensures safer and longer-lasting food supply for consumers.

MCQ:

1. Food irradiation primarily helps in:
(a) Increasing artificial flavour in food
(b) Enhancing radioactive content of food
(c) Destroying harmful microorganisms and delaying spoilage
(d) Replacing refrigeration technology

2. One major advantage of food irradiation as mentioned in the passage is that it:
(a) Makes food chemically treated
(b) Makes food radioactive
(c) Reduces nutritional value
(d) Improves safety and shelf life without harming nutrition

3. Food irradiation helps food items become suitable for:
(a) Immediate consumption only
(b) Domestic consumption only
(c) Long-distance transport and storage
(d) Industrial raw material use only

4. Under which government scheme is India expanding food irradiation facilities?
(a) National Food Security Mission
(b) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
(c) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
(d) Paramparagat Krishi Yojana

5. The Ministry responsible for implementing the cold chain scheme is:
(a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(b) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
(c) Ministry of Food Processing Industries
(d) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

6. Food irradiation has been included in cold chain projects mainly to:
(a) Increase artificial preservation
(b) Reduce post-harvest losses and improve quality
(c) Promote chemical usage in food
(d) Replace traditional storage methods completely

7. In India, gamma irradiation is carried out using:
(a) Cesium-137
(b) Uranium-235
(c) Cobalt-60
(d) Thorium-232

8. Cobalt-60 for irradiation is supplied by:
(a) ISRO
(b) BARC
(c) DRDO
(d) Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology

9. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a method of irradiation in the passage?
(a) Gamma rays
(b) X-rays
(c) Electron beams
(d) Ultraviolet radiation

10. Which group of products is commonly irradiated in India?
(a) Only fruits
(b) Only meat products
(c) Potatoes, spices, cereals and pulses
(d) Only dairy and seafood

11. One impact of food irradiation on exports is:
(a) Increase in packaging cost
(b) Compliance with quarantine standards
(c) Reduction in international demand
(d) Lower transportation speed

12. Financial assistance under the scheme is provided in the form of:
(a) Interest-free loans
(b) Insurance cover
(c) Capital subsidy
(d) Tax exemption only

13. The maximum subsidy limit per irradiation project is:
(a) ₹5 crore
(b) ₹8 crore
(c) ₹10 crore
(d) ₹12 crore

14. As per July 2025 decision, ₹1000 crore was allocated for:
(a) Warehousing expansion only
(b) Establishing irradiation units and food labs
(c) Importing preservation machinery
(d) Fertilizer subsidies

15. The combined role of food irradiation and cold chain infrastructure is to:
(a) Increase processed food prices
(b) Encourage urban migration
(c) Build a safer and efficient food system
(d) Reduce agricultural employment