Atomic food: since 2020 in Russia are going to irradiate children's and adult food
The issues of improving the quality of food products, especially those intended for children, have long worried not only sanitary doctors and pediatricians, but also scientists. Therefore, in "Rosatom" offered from 2020 start processing products with ionizing radiation. This will make it possible to increase the shelf life of products without the addition of preservatives harmful to children (and indeed for adults!).
The technology required for such processing is now being worked out in detail on the basis of Rosatom. It is planned that they will start with fruits and vegetables - after harvest, they will be disinfected with ionizing rays, according to Izvestia.
Responsibility on the authors of the idea is serious. Scientists around the world today do not have accurate data on the harm or safety of the use of ionizing radiation in the food sector. Some experts are already worried: technology may prove unsafe, especially for children and pregnant women.
The action plan for the use of ionizing radiation for food was approved by Rosatom this year. Changes are planned to be made in the regulatory and legal framework of the Eurasian Economic Union in the sphere of the agro-industrial complex. The Ministry of Agriculture has already sent a corresponding information letter to the State Duma.
It is planned that in 2020, not only potatoes and grains will be exposed to radiation treatment, but also meat.
How it works: radiation has the ability to inhibit the development and reproduction of pathogenic microbes, viruses, molds, etc. It also destroys insect pests on the vine.
The product cleaned this way is stored longer. The minus of the method is the lack of evidence base on the safety of eating such products for the human body.
Another question that cannot yet be answered in Rosatom due to the lack of scientific data is the use of processed products. Experts are not sure that meat or potatoes will be able to preserve all the beneficial substances after irradiation.