Understanding Radiological Hazards In Food Safety

Today, we’re uncovering the hidden risks of radiological hazards in food safety. Join us as we explore everything from naturally occurring radiation to the impact of industrial processes and what you need to know to ensure the safety of your food products.

Radiological contamination presents a significant yet often overlooked hazard in product safety risk management. Whilst recognised by BRC standards, comprehensive guidance on its assessment remains limited. This necessitates a structured approach to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential radiological risks across supply chains.

▶️ Sources of Radiological Contamination: Natural Radioactive Elements: Radon gas, derived from uranium decay in granite and other geological formations, can permeate water supplies, agricultural soil, and storage environments. Contamination risk varies by region, making radon mapping and supplier location assessments essential for raw materials and packaging.

Anthropogenic Accidents: Historical incidents (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima) demonstrate the widespread dispersion of radioactive isotopes into ecosystems. Given their long-term persistence in the environment, historical reviews of sourcing regions are necessary to rule out residual contamination.

Industrial Applications of Radiation:

• Food & Medical Irradiation: Gamma or X-ray irradiation (e.g., for sterilisation) is tightly regulated and typically leaves no residual radioactivity.

• Non-Ionising Radiation (UV, EMF): These are used in manufacturing (e.g., UV curing, X-ray inspection) and pose no radiological residue risk but require occupational safety controls.

▶️ Risk Assessment Framework: Geospatial Analysis: Assess facility and supplier locations for radon prevalence using geological surveys (e.g., EPA radon zones, UNSCEAR data). Screen regions historically affected by nuclear incidents for isotopic contamination in soil and water.

Supply Chain Due Diligence: Document origin histories of raw materials, particularly agricultural produce and mineral-based packaging. Collaborate with suppliers to obtain contamination testing data where risk is non-negligible.

Process Controls: If ionising radiation (e.g., X-rays) is used in production, verify compliance with Codex Alimentarius limits (e.g., 10 kGy for food). For non-ionising sources (e.g., UV), ensure worker protection aligns with ICNIRP guidelines.

▶️ BRC Standards Compliance:

• Food Safety (Issue 9, Sect. 2.7.1): Radiological hazards must be included in HACCP, with emphasis on geographic and historical risk factors.

• Packaging Materials (Issue 6): Implicitly references radiological risks through hazard definitions; packaging suppliers should align with food client requirements.

• Agents & Brokers (Issue 3): Demands hazard documentation, including radiological risks, though mitigation may depend on upstream controls. A proactive approach to radiological risk management integrates geospatial data, supply chain transparency, and process validation. Whilst industrial applications typically pose minimal product risk, natural and accidental sources warrant rigorous assessment to ensure compliance and consumer safety.

Collaborative platforms, such as the STC Forum, provide opportunities for industry stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices in addressing emerging risks, further strengthening the overall approach to radiological risk management.

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