Commercialization of irradiated potatoes in Japan and future prospects

The studies on food irradiation have been conducted for three decades and the National Food Irradiation Research Project was started in 1967 and completed in 1981. The Japanese Government cleared potato irradiation in 1972 based on the results of the work in the Project, and commercial potato irradiation was commenced by Shihoro Agricultural Co-operative Association in 1973. Since then the potato irradiation has been conducted at an annual production of 15,000 to 30,000 tons. Although we encountered unexpected obstacles such as protest activity against potato irradiation carried out by some radical consumer groups, the commercial potato irradiation is successful owing to scientific countermeasures to the activity. The Agricultural Co-operative developed a technique to irradiate potatoes at half doses (4 to 10 krad) and to utilize the irradiated potatoes for potato processing. Potatoes irradiated at half doses will be widely used in potato processing plants in the future when there is no fear of consumers' reaction against irradiated foods. The consumers' activity hindered the development of food irradiation in Japan. The Government is afraid of stimulating radical consumers again and no food irradiation other than potato irradiation has been approved in our country. However the commercialization of some food irradiation is an urgent problem, especially as an alternative technique to fumigation. (author). 5 figs, 7 tabs