Irradiation techniques help maintain food safety

By Joannie Dobbs and Alan Titchenal

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 28, 2012

~~<p>For many people the term “food irradiation” conjures negative images of glowing radioactive food and food processing that is spooky and futuristic. Claims are made that food irradiation causes the formation of dangerous radiolytic chemicals and free radicals.</p>
<p>This method is not new, however. It has been under extensive study for more than 100 years, and its use in food processing has been regulated in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration for about 50 years. As world food demands grow and food safety issues multiply, food irradiation is likely to become a more common food safety technology.</p>
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For many people the term “food irradiation” conjures negative images of glowing radioactive food and food processing that is spooky and futuristic. Claims are made that food irradiation causes the formation of dangerous radiolytic chemicals and free radicals.

This method is not new, however. It has been under extensive study for more than 100 years, and its use in food processing has been regulated in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration for about 50 years. As world food demands grow and food safety issues multiply, food irradiation is likely to become a more common food safety technology. Login for more...