ABSTRACT
The approach of the new millennium brings with it an increasing prospect for international trade in irradiated foods. This prospect should re-focus attention on the need for regulations on irradiated foods to be harmonized as much as possible. Without harmonization, international trade may be significantly hindered.
Through its ability to produce safe, hygienic foods, irradiation can assist developing countries meet the strict requirements for entry into markets in developed countries. Trade in herbs and spices and in fruit and vegetables are examples of commodities for which irradiation can guarantee safety from microbial contamination and insect pests. Irradiation is now a favoured treatment option for such foods as it eliminates the need for treatments by chemicals that are of health and environmental concern. Other options for trade in irradiated foods include meat and seafoods. Notable is recent action which will lead to the commercialisation of the irradiation of red meat in the United States and increasing concerns generally about contaminants such as E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes.
Over forty countries have regulations in place permitting the irradiation of one or, frequently, many foods. However, overall, there is relatively little uniformity. In the regulatory environment for irradiated foods. This is despite the existence of a Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods since 1984 and the responsibility placed on member states of the World Trade Organisation to harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary measures on as wide a base as possible.
The International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation has published Guidelines for the Authorisation of Food Irradiation Generally or by Classes of Food. This recommends a framework of harmonized regulations based on the Codex General Standard. In the area of phytosanitary measures, regional plant protection authorities have endorsed irradiation as a quarantine treatment of fresh fruits and vegetables. Steps to provide a harmonized framework for irradiation as a quarantine treatment have recently been made in countries in Asia and the Pacific. The progress made towards harmonized regulations in the regions of Asia/Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East will be reviewed.
