Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin   

Feasibility study on radiation processing in food units

Tuticorin: Tuticorin is making big strides with hectic industrial activities and pioneering in power plant projects. The district has become the preferred destination for food processing industries thanks to the logistic support of Tuticorin Port in export and import.

Tuticorin has also gained superiority in terms of exporting seafood products and the emergence of food processing sectors will be an added advantage for the industrialists.

During the theme meeting on Applications of Radiation on Marine Products and Food Preservation, organised by Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) Tuticorin under aegis of Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai, recently, the stakeholders held discussions on the possible establishments of radiation facilities for processing of various products including sea food, agro food (vegetables and fruits) and coir and dry flowers in Tuticorin.

Collector G. Prakash hailed the initiative, in what could be the desired objective, and said the district administration would pledge its support for promoting such innovations here.

To promote such food processing sectors, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, initiated a new Rs. 550 crore project entitled “Pearl City Food Port (Special Economic Zone) at SEZ campus, Tuticorin on August 5. After laying the foundation, Mr. Stalin was of the view that emergence of this venture would be a major milestone in south Tamil Nadu.

Preservation

A.K. Sharma, Scientist and Head, Food Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, told The Hindu on Sunday that with the help of radiation process the storage of food products including, seafood, vegetables, fruits, rice, pulse, mango, onion and other exportable commodities could be preserved hygienically.

It would certainly disinfect the commodities for enhancing the quality and shelf life.

To encourage such initiatives, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries would offer 50 per cent subsidy on plant and machinery and technical civil work for construction of radiation cell.

J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, SDMRI, said that a team under his chairmanship was being engaged in conducting a feasibility study in industries here for augmenting such facilities.

After taking stock of the assessment, the findings would be represented to the Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai, through the district administration.

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