Coronavirus: Chinese scientists try using radiation to kill coronavirus on food packaging

‘Results will be of great significance for disinfecting imported cold food and preventing virus infections during big international sports events,’ China National Nuclear Corporation says

Preparations for the tests began in December after a number of coronavirus cases were linked to the packaging of imported frozen food, company says

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Chinese researchers are investigating if radiation can be used to kill the coronavirus on frozen food. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:18pm, 13 Mar 2021Updated: 9:53am, 14 Mar 2021

Chinese scientists have begun laboratory tests to see if radiation can be used to kill the coronavirus in the cold food chain, according to an official announcement released on Saturday.

The research is being led by state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) with help from its subsidiary, China Isotope and Radiation Corporation, which designed the irradiation equipment, and the Institute of Microbiology, which is reviewing the findings.

“The main goal of this project is to carry out research on coronavirus irradiation disinfection and establish a process to provide evidence for killing the coronavirus in the imported cold food chain,” CNNC said.

“The results will be of great significance for disinfecting imported cold food and preventing virus infections during big international sports events.”

Preparations for the tests began in December after a number of coronavirus cases were linked to the packaging of imported frozen food, CNNC said.