Liberalisation of rules to genetically damage food by radiation.

Government to grant generic licenses for fruits and vegetables
New Delhi, PTI:

"We are likely to get clearance for radiation processing of food as a group thing," Anil Kakodkar, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) said here.

Irradiation of fruits and vegetables for preservation is set to become simpler as the government is liberalising the licensing process mandatory for the purpose.

Presently, government and private firms in the irradiation business have to seek permission for preservation of a particular product. But now the government plans to make the process easier by granting generic licenses for fruits, vegetables and pulses.

"We are likely to get clearance for radiation processing of food as a group thing," Anil Kakodkar, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) said here...

..."We expect the rules to be notified soon," Kakodkar said. The DAE has set up a high dose plant for preservation of spices and a low dose plant for irradiating onions, potatoes and mangoes.

Kakodkar said the DAE has adopted a flexible approach in technology transfers. "Anyone interested can design the plant and we can help get safety clearances," he said.