Safe Or Risky? This Is A Nuclear Fact For Food Security

Illustration of nuclear reactors (Pixabay)

JAKARTA Indonesia has utilized nuclear technology to support food security, including to extend the shelf life, maintain nutritional content, and ensure the safety of microbes and pests.

However, to what extent is the level of security from the use of nuclear radiation in the food sector?

Head of the Center for Radiation Process Technology Research (PRTPR) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Irawan Sugoro, explained that irradiation technology offers real solutions in maintaining food quality without changing the taste, texture, or nutritional content.

He mentioned that this technology has been widely utilized, especially in non-destructive testing and sterilizing medical devices, including in the mining and medical services sector.

"But the biggest challenge lies in public acceptance. The stigma to the term radiation is still a major obstacle, although this technology has proven safe and widely used in various developed countries," said Irawan in his statement, Sunday, June 29.

In line with that, BRIN PRTPR researcher Murni Indarwatmi also explained that irradiation has many benefits in supporting food exports, especially in meeting the strict requirements of destination countries such as Australia.

Irradiation for fitosanitari purposes is very effective in controlling hidden pests such as fruit flies and whitebugs, without requiring expensive and time-consuming manual treatment. This is very relevant for export commodities such as mangoes and mangosteens, "explained Murni.

In addition, this technology is also superior in sterilizing various products, ranging from herbs, processed meat, to food components such as chili powder on instant noodles.

"With high penetrate power and a process without direct contact, irradiation allows efficient and hygienic treatment, even for products that are already packaged," he added.