 | | | | |||||||||
 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
What is irradiation, anyway? Irradiation is the process of exposing fresh food to gamma radiation or high-energy electron beams, in order to kill bacteria that can cause food spoilage and/or food poisoning (e.g., E. coli). Three energy sources may be used, depending on several factors: x-ray, high-energy electron guns, and nuclear power. The nuclear irradiators use Cobalt-60 or Cesium-137, both of which are highly toxic. The food is affected in the same way, no matter what the source of irradiation. Electron-beams are as damaging to vitamins and enzymes, and as powerful in creating new toxic chemicals in the food, as gamma radiation of the same energy. Most irradiation facilities for the near future in the U.S. will be electrical rather than nuclear (electrocuted food, rather than nuked food). Irradiation advocates believe that the public is more likely to accept electron-beam irradiated food, and the technology is cheaper. However, nuclear facilities will certainly follow if the technology is accepted by consumers. Here's indications of the future: The Department of Energy is holding hearings to reopen a Hanford, Washington nuclear reactor to irradiate food. Required labeling — no matter how tiny — is a very important barrier to widespread food irradiation. If the FDA ceases to require labels, then a) under World Trade regulations, the U.S. can force other countries that have labeling laws to accept our unlabeled irradiated food, and b) the U.S. can import irradiated food from other countries without informing the consumer. The FDA is currently writing its labeling regulation. It will ask for public comments in Spring or Summer 2000. | ||||||||||||
site by Moon Creek Studios | ||||||||||||
