A radiation facility in Tanay, Rizal which conducts electron beam sterilization on imported frozen goods and non-food items such as medical devices emphasized the importance of undergoing this process to ensure that imported goods that are being shipped to our country are well-sanitized and safe for human consumption.
Francis Valdez, an electronics engineer who previously worked at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) specializing on radiation technologies but now working as head of operations of a private e-beam facility in Tanay, said the Philippines is lagging behind when it comes to this kind of technology.
"Ang Vietnam meron na sila 16 na ganitong klaseng facility, sa China more or less 300 na. So we are lagging behind," Valdez said in an interview during a media tour of ISI sterilization facility in Tanay on Friday afternoon.
"They [customers] can bring their products here. At dahil mabilis po 'yung process namin they can wait, and if it's done and validated kapag tama ang result, we will release their products. It helps a lot kasi there is an FDA [Food and Drugs Administration] regulation na maging off the shelf 'yun products," Valdez added.
Valdez also said that the agriculture sector should bolster the export industry and should also undergo sterilization using radiation technologies such as electron beam irradiation facility.
"Yung Vietnam sobrang lakas ng export nila, dumadaan talaga yung goods nila sa ganitong proseso. So hindi sila natatakot sa rejection dahil maganda lagi yung microbial dissolves nila during export," he said, adding that ISI e-beam facility was the first private entity that can upskill the industry.
Valdez, however, admitted that they are facing a lot of challenges because they are the "first mover" in this kind of business.
"Another difficulty is that hindi masyadong familiar ang mga Pilipino about radiation technologies," he said.
For marketing activities, Valdez said that they do door-to-door or business-to-business process dealing with manufacturers, growers, and retailers.
"We have to convince them na yung ganitong process and technique can help their business. We can sterilize frozen goods (seafoods), herbs, spices, medical devices (syringe, gloves, etc.), and packaging," he said.
Valdez said that people should not be afraid of radiation technology as this has been used since 1970's or 1980's.
"Whether you like it or not, people have been consuming food na dumaan sa ganitong proseso. Hindi lang alam kasi ng mga tao," he said.
"Processed foods from other countries most likely dumaan sa ganitong proseso. So it's really just a very common na sa mga commodities na dumaan dito kasi kung hindi padadaanin dito madumi 'yung food. Maybe we have to elevate our standards in food na we have to blame them na baka not good talaga 'yung food, marami ng bacteria---may salmonella, may e-coli, etc.," he added.
On Friday morning, the PNRI conducted a media tour of its new research and industrial facilities in Quezon City—the Electron Beam Irradiation Facility and PHILGamma.
The two units are intended to boost the country’s capabilities in nuclear research, development, and industrial applications.