In the framework of an ongoing technical cooperation (TC) project, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Mexican National Institute of Nuclear Research (ININ) organized a regional meeting concerning the commercial use of electron beam and X-ray irradiation for the phytosanitary control of fresh fruit and vegetables. This meeting took place in Toluca, Mexico from 12-14 October 2015. For additional information regarding the regional meeting, please see this supplemental web story, complete with testimonials and presentations, as well as our Spanish-language version.
The meeting aimed to provide participants with up-to-date information on the regulatory and technical aspects of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment, and to examine the use of the electron beams and X-rays in this rapidly-developing application of irradiation.
Approximately 90 representatives from the public and private sectors from 16 countries attended the meeting. The public sector was represented by national plant protection organizations and food irradiation specialists from 12 IAEA Member States: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay. The private sector was represented by international traders of fresh produce from the participating countries and New Zealand, equipment manufacturers from North America and providers of phytosanitary irradiation services. Presentations were made by officials of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services and the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, providers of phytosanitary irradiation services from Mexico, the United States of America and Australia and manufacturers of electron beam accelerators with offices in the Americas. An official of the National Nuclear Security Administration of the US Department of Energy and experts from the National Center for Electron Beam Research of Texas A&M University also made presentations.
The meeting presented the current situation regarding the regulatory, technical and commercial status of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment, including the experience of different countries where phytosanitary irradiation is already used and where irradiated fresh produce are offered to consumers. Participants were thus able to understand the opportunities offered by electron beam and X-ray irradiation for food processing.
The participants commended the IAEA for having managed to involve all relevant sectors and considered the meeting as being a major step to enable concrete outcomes that will contribute to food security and facilitate international trade of fresh produce for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Below, find a gallery of photos taken during a visit to a Mexican e-beam and irradiation facility by the meeting's participants
