Tanzania plans to construct $8.6M food storage facility

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania 

The state-run Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) said on Tuesday it has completed preparations for the construction of a 20 billion Tanzanian shillings (about 8.6 million U.S. dollars) food storage facility.

Simon Mdoe, TAEC’s senior researcher, said the state-of-the-art food storage facility will enable the east African nation to conserve food through irradiation technology.

Mdoe said the facility to be constructed at Mbezi Luis in the suburbs of the commercial capital Dar es Salaam is projected to play a vital role in expanding and modernizing the country’s capacity in professional food storage.

He said basic processes for the project have already been finalized, adding that upon its completion the facility is projected to expand the country’s ability to export foods and other agricultural products abroad at recommended standard and quality.

Food irradiation is a processing and preservation technique through which food is exposed to doses of ionizing energy, or radiation, with a view of reducing the risk of food-borne diseases caused by micro-organisms.

Scientific research indicates that food irradiation is a safe and effective form of processing with the technique being utilized in many developed countries.