Food irradiation

• Autor(a) principal: LEVY, DENISE S.
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: VILLAVICENCIO, ANNA L.C.H., INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
• Tipo de documento: Artigo de conferência
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional do IPEN
• Texto Completo: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/30602
• topic: communications; education; educational tools; food processing; nuclear energy; public information

Brazil is a major food producer and food exporter. Still, a large part of the Brazilian population faces hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. From agriculture to the consumer's table, a significant part of the production is lost during post-harvest, transport, storage and commerce, due to the deterioration of food products. These are some of the main Brazilian issues and nuclear techniques present alternatives to this demand. Nevertheless, Brazilian consumers fear ionizing radiation and misunderstand its real benefits. Consumers do not know the difference between irradiated food and radioactive food and the public has major concerns about the negative health effects and environmental contamination. This article brings the authors' experience on science communication about Food Irradiation to teach fundamental concepts and answer to the most Frequently Asked Questions about processes, safety, advantages, limitations, possibilities, impacts on human health and impacts on the environment. The content includes global aspects of food irradiation, laws and regulations, nuclear techniques in agriculture and the potential value of nuclear technology to contribute to national economy and public health. This paper describes the different tools used for outreach different audiences, to assist other experts on planning strategies to communicate nuclear science. Food irradiation improves the quality of daily life, but it is not enough to have innovation and technology if there is no information. Scientific community is expected to communicate science outside academia, informing the public and qualifying opinion-makers. It is a must to educate future problem solvers and actual decision-makers, including producers, industry, commerce and consumers.