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The international Radura logo, used to show a food has been treated with ionizing radiation. A portable, trailer-mounted food irradiation machine, c. 1968 Food irradiation (sometimes American English: radurization; British English: radurisation) is the process of exposing food and food packaging to ionizing radiation, such as from gamma rays, x-rays, or electron beams.
The city of Berkeley, California, through its nuclear-free zone law, requires that food intended for human consumption be labeled "Treated with Ionizing Radiation". Food irradiating facilities are also banned as part of this law. [11] Such requirements are seen by consumer groups as helpful information to consumers concerned about food irradiation.
Radappertization is a form of food irradiation which applies a dose of ionizing radiation sufficient to reduce the number and activity of viable microorganisms to such an extent that very few, if any, are detectable in the treated food by any recognized method (viruses being excepted).
Some foods are riskier than others. Food safety scientists share the foods they won't eat due to the risk of contamination and foodborne illness.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recognizes irradiation as an important technology to protect consumers. Fresh meat and poultry including whole or cut up birds, skinless poultry, pork chops, roasts, stew meat, liver, hamburgers, ground meat, and ground poultry are approved for irradiation. [18]
Phytosanitary irradiation is a treatment that uses ionizing radiation on commodities, such as fruits and vegetables to inactivate pests, such as insects. [1] This method is used for international food trade as a means to prevent spread of non-native organisms. [1]
International legislation on whether food may be irradiated or not varies worldwide from no regulation to a full ban. [27] Approximately 500,000 tons of food items are irradiated per year worldwide in over 40 countries. These are mainly spices and condiments, with an increasing segment of fresh fruit irradiated for fruit fly quarantine. [28] [29]
“As a food safety expert, my foundational message to consumers is to make a minimal investment and purchase a tip-sensitive, rapid-read digital thermometer from your favorite consumer goods ...