FOOD IRRADIATION

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Did you know ?

To avoid foodborne illnesses while flying in space, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts eat meat that has been sterilized by irradiation.

What is Food Irradiation?

Food irradiation (the use of ionizing radiation on food) is a technology that increases food safety and shelf life by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects. Irradiation, like pasteurising milk and canning fruits and vegetables, can make food safer for consumers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of regulating the radiation sources used to irradiate food. Only after determining that irradiating the food is safe does the FDA approve a source of radiation for use on foods.

Why irradiate food?

Foodborne Illness Prevention entails effectively eliminating organisms that cause foodborne illness, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Preservation is the process of destroying or inactivating organisms that cause spoilage and decomposition in order to increase the shelf life of foods.

Insect Control - the destruction of insects in or on tropical fruits imported into the United States. Irradiation also reduces the need for other pest-control methods that may be harmful to the fruit.

Delay Sprouting and Ripening - To increase longevity, inhibit sprouting (e.g., potatoes) and delay fruit ripening.

Did you know there has 3 sources of radiation that approved for use on food?

Gamma rays - emitted by radioactive forms of the elements cobalt (Cobalt 60) or cesium (Cesium 137). Gamma radiation is routinely used to sterilize medical, dental, and household products, as well as for cancer radiation treatment.

X-rays - created by reflecting a high-energy stream of electrons off a target substance (typically a heavy metal) into food. In medicine and industry, X-rays are also widely used to produce images of internal structures.

An electron beam - (or e-beam) is a stream of high-energy electrons propelled from an electron accelerator into food, similar to X-rays.

Maybe lot people wonder irradiated food is safe to eat?

For more than 30 years, the FDA has evaluated the safety of irradiated food and determined that the process is safe. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) all agree that irradiated food is safe.

The FDA has approved a variety of foods for irradiation in the United States including: