Present Status and Prospects of Food Irradiation in France

摘要

Following the conclusions of the JEFCI (Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO Expert Committee on whole someness of Irradiated Food), CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission) was required by the regulatory committees, in 1981-1982, to present a white book on the wholesomeness of irradiated foods. Following the approval of this white book it was decided to not modify hastily the current regulation of 1970; but to lighten the content of the file of request for authorization by removing its part related to toxicological evidences. This liberalization of procedure has encouraged industrial projects. A large effort of development is initiated and taken in charge locally. The CEA has very important responsibilities in this national effort of development of food irradiation. Three new designs for gamma industrial irradiators were recently improved in France specifically in view of food irradiation, beside the other more conventional designs of carrier and pallet irradiators, already available and well known. The presently available accelerators are not well fitted to food irradiation; the penetration of electrons which are produced is not high enough for food products. A french company, CGR-MeV, recently developed a linear accelerator of 10 MeV and 10 Kw, which appears very attractive. (ERA citation 11:041720)