The Basics on the Foodfight Over Irradiation

food irradiaton

There are hundreds of thousands of cases of food poisoning each year in the USA and most of these could be prevented by irradiating food. The controversy about safetey is identical to the discussions about microwaving food and milk pasteurisation (temperatures of 400 degrees) which are readily acceptable as they have no deleterious effect on the nutritional value of various products.

The emotional fear of anything which has "radiation" in its name is harming many of our people.

Murray of FL @ Mar 02, 2009 09:16:31 AM

In addition...

"Well maintained wooden chopping or cutting boards are naturally antiseptic - plastic is not"

This is patently false. Wood fibers can internalize bacteria-breeding juices from meats. Plastic is non-porous and doesn't permit bacterial penetration.

Stop spreading misinformation, please, you're going to get someone sick.

Ryan of @ Oct 09, 2008 13:13:56 PM

A few facts about the process

1) The irradiated food is already labeled under law: the symbol is the Radura and you can find it easily on Google.

2) No one is saying that any particular method is a panacea for every food disease. What they are saying is that irradiation is a cost-effective (emphasis on EFFECTIVE) method to clean food.

3) Organic produce is nice, but I feel that you folks have a few misconceptions about what it actually means. It's no more nutritious or safe from the same contamination than crops treated with synthetic chemicals. E coli and Salmonella can spread on organic and non-organic produce alike; the threat and treatment requirements are the same.

4) Irradiation works for contaminants that have penetrated the surface of the fruit (hint: that means the bugs that you can't get off by simply washing it). Don't forget, the fruits and vegetables are still technically alive post-harvest, and porous. They will absorb things through the skin, parasites and bacteria alike. Irradiation is the most efficient way to get rid of them... unless you want your tomatoes par-boiled through pasteurization.

You folks need to get this idea out of your heads that this is a replacement for GPM. This is part and parcel of Good Product Management, not a stand-in for it. The companies promoting this technology are trying to bring you healthier produce at market, not dupe you into buying intentionally contaminated product - that's nonsensical.

Jeez, if you're that concerned about "iridated poop [sic]" on your vegetables... then wash the lettuce before you eat it. The FDA is stumping for this technology, and even they warn you to wash it first. Common sense, people.

Ryan of OH @ Oct 09, 2008 13:06:22 PM

Just label anything that is irradiated

That way everyone can decide for themselves what they want to eat. I'm all for freedom of choice in most areas of life.

We should also label country of origin on all food too, along with labels telling us whether hormones have been used, etc. An informed consumer is a consumer that can make their own choices, wise or not. That is the "free market" at its best.

splashy of AR @ Sep 29, 2008 13:58:01 PM

poop is poop

I don't want to eat irridated food. This does not help clean up the way plants or animals are raised. As for me, I don't want to eat iridated poop either, and that's what's going to be on your food. Meat that's been mishandled by being dropped on the flooring of the slaughter house-no I want a place that is going to be responsible for the way it handles it's product.

Elizabeth of WV @ Sep 17, 2008 16:52:02 PM

Irrational frankenfood

This is more reason to buy organic. Yes, this is a quick fix - I think we all watched too much Star Trek. All the food problems we have faced recently can all be traced if traced at all to unsanitary conditions or factory like farms. Irradiation is more "business" for agribusiness and what do businesses need? A new product. Its not enough to make the same spinach or beef. Sell fruit rolled up for example. But that's old - so lets irradicate it - charge a bit more and sell safety to mom's and dad's across the land. I wouldn't feed my kid this. With antibotics in chickens and beef once though safe now causing trouble - what about this? The risk is too great. No more Omaha Beef for me.

Babs of NY @ Sep 16, 2008 20:04:58 PM

Microbiology&Biotechnology

The radiation doses for food are far below the dose required to cause harmful effects either mutagenic , teratogenic or carcinogenic , to human beings as has been shown in research articles .Perhaps the solution to overcome incidences of E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in raw vegetables would be better through irradiation .

Priya @ Sep 16, 2008 00:36:52 AM

Meat Heads

I love irradiated meat. I find it makes me feel happier and my family stronger. We should fortify all out foods with radiation, its like the goodness of the sun but comes from mines here on earth. It's the best thing since the microwave!

GH of IN @ Sep 09, 2008 10:22:20 AM