Does irradiation diminish the nutritional value of tropical fruits?
Irradiation can cause changes to both macro and micronutrients in foods, depending on the irradiation dose. The available research indicates, however, that carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, minerals and trace elements in tropical fruits undergo very minimal alteration during irradiation. When the nutritional changes induced by irradiation are considered in conjunction with the FSANZ analysis of dietary intake of nutrients, t the irradiation of tropical fruits is found not to have a significant nutritional effect on the diet of the Australian and New Zealand populations. The tropical fruits being considered for irradiation are not significant sources of certain vitamins, including beta-carotene, folate, vitamin C and vitamin B 1 within the context of the total dietary intake.
