Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety FAQ »I’ve heard that potatoes and garlic are irradiated to stop them germinating. Is that true?
I’ve heard that potatoes are irradiated to stop them germinating. Is that true?
I’ve heard that potatoes are irradiated to stop them germinating. Is that true?
Is radiation sometimes used to prevent germination?
I’ve heard that irradiation is permitted overseas. Is irradiated food sometimes imported?
Does irradiating food make it radioactive?
In Japan, irradiation is sometimes used to prevent potatoes germinating. Irradiation of food other than potatoes is not permitted.
In Japan, irradiating food is not allowed as a rule under the Food Sanitation Act.
However, irradiation of potatoes to prevent germination (sprouting) is permitted as an exception. At present, prevention of germination for potatoes is carried out at a designated facility in Hokkaido. A limit on the potatoes’ absorbed dose when irradiated and other regulations have been established, and the potatoes do not become radioactive. In addition, there is mandatory labeling of irradiated potatoes to show that they have been irradiated.
Irradiation is not permitted for any other food than potatoes, including garlic.
Overseas, irradiation of foods such as spices is permitted for sterilization.
However, these foods cannot be imported because irradiation is not permitted for any other food than potatoes in Japan. Quarantine stations conduct monitoring tests.
Research has been conducted for many years by institutions in individual countries, including Japan, as well as international organizations on the health effects from eating irradiated food, and no particular negative effects have been recognized.
However, irradiation of potatoes to prevent germination (sprouting) is permitted as an exception. At present, prevention of germination for potatoes is carried out at a designated facility in Hokkaido. A limit on the potatoes’ absorbed dose when irradiated and other regulations have been established, and the potatoes do not become radioactive. In addition, there is mandatory labeling of irradiated potatoes to show that they have been irradiated.
Irradiation is not permitted for any other food than potatoes, including garlic.
Overseas, irradiation of foods such as spices is permitted for sterilization.
However, these foods cannot be imported because irradiation is not permitted for any other food than potatoes in Japan. Quarantine stations conduct monitoring tests.
Research has been conducted for many years by institutions in individual countries, including Japan, as well as international organizations on the health effects from eating irradiated food, and no particular negative effects have been recognized.