Present status of commercialization of food irradiation in Belgium

The I.R.E. decided in 1975 on the construction of an industrial-scale irradiation plant. Construction started in 1977 and the plant was operational in October 1978. Two cobalt-60 irradiators were built. GAMMIR II, having a maximum source strength of 0.5 MCi, allowed the necessary experience in food irradiation technology to be gained generally and especially in plant engineering, safety precautions and the training of operating personnel. In this paper, the technological and economic feasibility of radiation processing in Belgium is discussed in terms of the following: regulatory status, commercial application of food irradiation, reduction of microbial counts in dry ingredients, and elimination of salmonellae. (Namekawa, K.)