Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure: Irradiation for Preservation

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implementing a scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure to prevent post-harvest losses of horticultural & non-horticultural produce.

Food Processing Industries Implementing Scheme
  • One of the components of the Cold Chain scheme is to set up Irradiation facilities for preserving food products including onion, potato etc.
  • Irradiated food regulated according to Atomic Energy (Radiation Processing of Food & Allied Products) Rules 2012 and Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
  • Food can be irradiated only in a food irradiation plant authorized by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and licensed by competent Government Authority.
  • License given only after ascertaining the safety and security of the installation
  • Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) providing consultancy services to ensure proper process control, and availability of licensed operators and qualified staff.
  • Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food safety aspects of irradiated food products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2016.

Scheme Details

  • Ministry provides financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid@35% for general areas and@50% for North East States, Himalayan States, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) areas and Islands for storage and transport infrastructure and@50% and 75% respectively for value addition and processing infrastructure subject to a maximum grant-in-aid of ₹ 10 crore for setting up integrated cold chain projects including irradiation facility.
  • Scheme primarily private sector driven through Expression of Interest (EOI) . Promoters free to set up facility as per their business model and financial capability.
  • Schedule for setting up the cold chain projects including irradiation projects is 20 months in General Areas and 24 months in North-East States, Himalayan States, ITDP Areas, and Islands from the date of issue of the sanction to the project.

Examrace Team at Aug 20, 2021