The effect of storage and processing on radionuclide content of fruit

After harvesting, the activity content of fruits may still be affected by the manner in which they are treated. Long storage times will reduce the activity contents of short-lived radionuclides; preparation and/or processing may cause activity to be physically removed. This paper presents the results of a review of the available literature on these effects. Data are scarce for both storage and processing, the majority of information on the latter being for 137Cs and 90Sr. For cautious general assessments, it should be assumed that there is no delay and that no activity is lost on processing, especially if the fruits can be eaten raw. However, individual cases may require specific data if available. The use of storage or processing as specific countermeasures to reduce activity concentrations in fruits may not be acceptable to the consumer, especially where alternative, non-contaminated, foodstuffs are readily available.