- destruction of all pathogens, parasites such as Salmonella, helminths, and others
- shelf-life extension
The treatment of food products with ionizing radiation in order to maximize their shelf life and destroy insects, their larvae and pathogens is permitted and encouraged by the FAO and the IAEA – FAO/IAEA, Joint Atoms4Food Initiative, 2023.
Being committed to this initiative, Beamcomplex has created the programme called Atoms For Food Equipment and manufactures food processing equipment 1-5 MeV.
Quarantine treatment equipment
IONIZING RADIATION FOR COMMERCIAL FOOD IRRADIATION
The technology of ionizing radiation is used for phytosanitary treatment of food and agricultural products, insect larvae elimination and eradication of pathogens thus extending food shelf life.
SEAFOOD
Effect
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
boxesOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Shrimps and Prawns
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, parasites such as Salmonella, and others
- reduction of antibiotics and hormones concentration in shrimp and prawns grown in artificial ponds
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
boxesOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
MEAT PRODUCTS - HALF CARCASSES
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, such as Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and others
- reduction of antibiotics and hormones concentration
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
upper layer of beef half carcassesOperation mode
E-beam
Meat Products - MINCED MEAT
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, such as Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and others
- reduction of antibiotics and hormones concentration
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thickness of minced meatOperation mode
X-Ray
Poultry
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Wax bacillus
- reduction of antibiotics and hormones concentration
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thickness of minced meatPackaging type
individual packagesOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Chicken Eggs
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus spp., and others
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
surfacePackaging type
in one layerOperation mode
E-beam
Cereals & Pulses
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens
- insect disinfestations
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
in bulk in one layer, boxes, bags or palletsOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Example: Rice with 10-year shelf life
Effect
Irradiation of rice provides insect disinfestation and destruction of pathogens and mycotoxins, thus extending rice shelf life without compromising its quality.
Vegetables
Effect
- destruction of mould, fungus and other pathogens,
- insect disinfestations
- delay of sprouting
- reduction of weight loss
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
boxes or palletsOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Example: Phytosanitary treatment of potatoes, onions and garlic
Effect
- destruction of mould, fungus and other pathogens, nematode and others
- delay of sprouting
- reduction of weight loss
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
surfacePackaging type
in bulk in one layerOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Fruit & Berries
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens
- insect disinfestations
- delay of ripening
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
in bulk in one layer, boxes or palletsOperation mode
X-Ray
Dried Fruit & Nuts
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens
- insect disinfestations
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
in bulk in one layer, boxes, bags or palletsOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Spices & Herbs
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens
- insect disinfestations
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
in bulk in one layer, boxes, bags or palletsOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Drinking Water Disinfection
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E.Coli, Legionella, and others
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
liquidOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
Animal Feed
Effect
- destruction of all pathogens, such as mycotoxins, and others
- reduction of antibiotics and hormones concentration
- shelf-life extension
Treatment process
full thicknessPackaging type
in bulk in one layer, boxes, bags or palletsOperation mode
E-beam/X-Ray
SHELF LIFE OF PRODUCTS TREATED WITH IONIZING RADIATION
With the help of pathogen destruction equipment the shelf life of food products is significantly extended. The level of pathogenic contamination of food products subjected to treatment must not exceed limit values.
*The long shelf life is due to the fact that the products are exposed to the maximum permissible dose of radiation, as well as the use of packaging materials that are insect-, moisture- and oxygen-proof.
| Product | Extension of Shelf life |
|---|---|
| Chilled meat | Up to 1 year, *Up to 2 years |
| Frozen meat | Up to 1 year, *Up to 3 years |
| Chilled ground beef | Up to 1 year, *Up to 2 years |
| Frozen ground beef | Up to 1 year, *Up to 3 years |
| Chilled poultry and chicken offal | Up to 1 year, *Up to 2 years |
| Frozen poultry and chicken offal | Up to 1 year, *Up to 3 years |
| Chilled fish, crustaceans, molluscs | Up to 1 year, *Up to 2 years |
| Frozen fish, crustaceans, molluscs | Up to 1 year, *Up to 3 years |
| Fruits | Up to 3 months, *Up to 6 months |
| Frozen fruits | Up to 2 years |
| Vegetables | Up to 1 year |
| Frozen vegetables | Up to 2 years |
| Cereals | Up to to 5 years, *Up to 10 years |
| Pulses | Up to to 5 years, *Up to 10 years |
| Chilled chicken eggs | Up to 2 months, *Up to 5 months |
| Dried fruits | Up to 2 years, *Up to 4 years |
| Casein, caseinates | Up to 1 year, *Up to 10 years |
| Wheat flour | Up to to 5 years, *Up to 10 years |