Food Irradiation : Part 3

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 3 of 3)

A second team of scientists then reviewed all animal feeding and other irradiated food toxicity studies — several hundred — from agency files and the scientific literature and reaffirmed the BFIFC recommendation.

Since then, FDA has set the use of food irradiation at levels higher than 1 kiloGray. The 1990 rule, for instance, would allow irradiation of poultry at levels up to 3 kiloGrays after animal data again revealed no hazardous effects.

In a separate review, the international community reached a similar conclusion. Representatives from the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the World Health Organization, making up the joint "Committee on the Wholesomeness of Irradiated Food," declared in 1980 that the irradiation of any food up to an overall average dose of 10 kiloGrays causes no toxicological hazard and introduces no special nutritional or microbiological problems. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, a United Nations organization that recommends international food standards, adopted the recommendation in 1983.

The Future of Food Irradiation

The World Health Organization believes irradiation can substantially reduce food poisoning. According to a 35-year WHO study, there has been a constant increase in the incidence of food-borne diseases, as well as emergence of "new" disease-causing organisms, such as Campylobacter and Listeria.

Food irradiation would be another weapon in the arsenal against food-borne illness. FDA and WHO, however, emphasize that irradiation is not a substitute for careful handling, storage and cooking of food. Irradiated poultry can become recontaminated, for instance, if placed next to contaminated, nonirradiated poultry, or left unrefrigerated so that remaining organisms can grow.

To date, 35 countries have issued unconditional or provisional clearances allowing irradiation of commercial foods. Of the more than 140 industrial gamma irradiators in over 40 countries, 29 are used part-time to irradiate food items and conduct food-related research. (They are used mostly for sterilizing disposable medical supplies.) A 1989 Library of Congress report prepared for Congress estimates that by the early 1990s, 55 facilities worldwide will be used for food irradiation and related food irradiation research.

However, as Tanya Roberts of USDA's Economic Research Service stresses, the future of irradiation depends upon consumer acceptance — based largely on proof that the process can produce safer foods at lower cost. Roberts estimates that the cost of medical treatment and lost productivity for five food-borne diseases — trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, and beef tapeworm — totals more than $1 billion annually.

The last chapter in the story of food irradiation still remains to be written. Will the fear of nuclear energy prevent this technology from being used to its fullest potential? Or will education win acceptance for a procedure that can lower the incidence of food-borne illness? Only consumers can supply the answers.

Poultry Producers Respond

With one hand, poultry producers are giving a thumbs up sign to FDA's rule permitting irradiation of poultry. With the other, they are putting its use on hold.

Stuart Proctor, executive vice president of the National Turkey Federation — which represents 95 percent of turkey growers and producers — says "we are encouraged by FDA's decision. The industry should be allowed to use any science available that makes food safe from food-borne illness and also is safe." He continues, "as soon as consumers are ready to accept the product, we'll use it."

As George Watts, president of the National Broiler Council, says, "the U.S. poultry industry has always been a consumer-driven business, demonstrated by the variety of new products developed over the years to meet the American public's demand." He says that should consumers desire irradiated food products, "the industry will respond."

Perdue Farms, Inc., a large, East Coast chicken producer, says it has no plans to use the irradiation process. Steve McCauley, a company spokesman, said that the firm sees no need for decontaminating its poultry with irradiation because Perdue tests its products stringently. He claims this keeps them safe from contamination.

The need is for consumer education. Although poultry groups say they do not have the resources for the costly campaign needed, they believe that once consumers understand more about food irradiation, they will demand it.

Proctor compares reaction to food irradiation to earlier apprehension about microwave ovens. Once consumers recognized microwave cooking as safe, desire for fast and convenient food led to a microwave revolution. He said he could foresee the same demand for irradiated food, prompted by a desire to cut down on food-borne illness, once consumers are no longer afraid of the process.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.