Irradiation technology grants a ‘golden visa’ to Vietnamese agricultural products

However, many still question how this technology works, particularly whether it causes radiation contamination or alters the nutritional content of food. To clarify these concerns, VAN News spoke with Mr. Tran Minh Quynh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Irradiation Center under the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology.

In today’s increasingly globalized world, with its increasingly stringent food safety requirements, irradiation has emerged as a breakthrough solution. Could you explain how food irradiation works to eliminate microorganisms without causing radiation contamination or negative nutritional changes?

Irradiation is a physical process that uses ionizing radiation, mainly gamma rays or electron beams, to treat food. When exposed to radiation, energy interacts with the target in two primary ways.

First, it acts directly on living cells such as bacteria, insects, and parasites, destroying their DNA and preventing reproduction.

Second, it acts indirectly by breaking down water and other molecules in food, generating highly reactive free radicals that eliminate microorganisms.

What ensures the safety of this process is that the food does not come into direct contact with the radiation source. Moreover, the energy level used is not high enough to make the food radioactive. That is why irradiation has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective, and is now widely used in over 60 countries.

Nonetheless, controlling the radiation dose is crucial to preserving food quality and nutrition. High radiation levels can alter some components such as fatty acids, proteins, or vitamins. Therefore, each product type must be treated within a specific dose range to optimize microbial reduction while maintaining nutritional integrity.

What role does irradiation play in helping Vietnamese agricultural products penetrate high-standard international markets?

In the context of global competition, the economic benefits of food irradiation for Vietnamese agricultural exports are undeniable. Irradiation serves as a mandatory quarantine treatment that enables agricultural goods to enter strict markets.

Certain pests and insects in produce can become invasive species when introduced to new countries. Therefore, markets like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile require irradiation as the preferred quarantine method.

The successful application of this technology has enabled key Vietnamese fruits, including dragon fruit, rambutan, mango, lychee, longan, star apple, and pomelo, to be exported to these markets. This not only expands export opportunities and raises farmers’ income but also helps reduce chemical use, promoting green and sustainable agriculture.

How is radiation dosage controlled to ensure both treatment effectiveness and product quality?

Precise control of radiation dosage is crucial for eliminating microbes while maintaining product quality. Depending on the dosage, we can reduce or completely neutralize harmful organisms.

According to FAO/IAEA/WHO recommendations, common irradiation doses are below 10 kGy. However, studies have shown that higher doses—up to 30 kGy for some foods—can be used safely. In special cases, doses of 45–75 kGy are applied to sterilize food for transplant patients or astronauts.

Thus, each product and purpose requires a tailored dosage. The control process involves dose mapping and measurement using calibrated dosimeters, ensuring all parts of the product absorb radiation within the safe and effective range defined between minimum (Dmin) and maximum (Dmax) limits.

Why is irradiation increasingly encouraged for preserving herbal medicine and traditional medicine ingredients instead of chemical treatments?

Irradiation is being promoted as a replacement for chemical treatments in preserving medicinal herbs because it leaves no residue. Ionizing radiation transmits energy that destroys microorganisms without leaving traces on the product.

In contrast, even trace amounts of chemical treatments can leave residues on or within herbs. Given the high purity requirements in medicine, eliminating this risk is a significant advantage that makes irradiation a superior and safe option.

The 2025 Atomic Energy Law is expected to create significant impacts. How will this law affect the expansion of irradiation technology applications in Viet Nam?

The new law provides more detailed regulations on radiation safety, licensing, and security management, creating a stable legal framework that encourages investment in irradiation research and development.

It also includes mechanisms supporting R&D, paving the way for new applications and accelerating existing ones such as food irradiation and medical sterilization.

Thank you very much for your insights!

“Enhancing public awareness of the safety, effectiveness, and contribution of irradiation to green growth and sustainable development will undoubtedly promote wider adoption of atomic energy applications in Vietnam, particularly in irradiation processing,” Tran Minh Quynh concluded.