Ionizing Radiation Laboratory Opened at FEIT Faculty in Skopje Ionizing radiation lab. Photo: organicguide.com.
A laboratory for detection of food products treated with ionizing radiation will begin operating soon at the Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology FEIT in Skopje.
"For the time being, the lab will be only used to inspect products entering the Macedonian market, exposed to ionizing radiation treatment. We also plan to procure an irradiation device which will enhance the quality of foodstuffs," the Project Coordinator Hristina Spasovska stated.
Food irradiation, or the application of ionizing radiation to food, is a technology that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of products by reducing or eliminating microorganism and insects. Like milk pasteurization and canning fruits and vegetables, irradiation can make the food safer for the consumer. This process is presently permitted in over 50 countries.
Ives Henon, expert from Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said he was in Macedonia to help raise the interest of the processing industry and research organizations about the usefulness of the technology.
Representatives of numerous domestic companies, faculties and state institutions attended the IAEA workshop.
