Wholesomeness of gamma-irradiated foods fed to rats.
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Despite the limited use of irradiation for food preservation in the United States to date, the process provides an alternative to the use of some chemical pesticides and sprout inhibitors. The formation of random and varied radiolytic products (RPs) in foods that have been irradiated is the focus of criticism of the process, because RPs may affect the sensory and nutritive quality of foods processed with ionizing radiation. The FDA has deemed the process safe, within specified doses, for use on spices, some meats, fruits, and vegetables. Dietitians should be prepared to answer consumer questions related to irradiation as the process becomes more widespread.
Prevention of disease is a core public health mission. Food-borne illness is a major source of preventable morbidity and mortality. Each year, an estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5200 deaths due to food-borne illness occur in the United States. Research findings show that irradiating food can both greatly reduce illness from food-borne pathogens and extend food shelf life by delaying ripening, inhibiting spoilage, and minimizing contamination. However, because the food industry has historically been reluctant to sell irradiated foods, food irradiation remains an underutilized technology.
In view of the enormous health and economic consequences of foodborne diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages its Member States to consider all measures to eliminate or reduce foodborne pathogens in food and improve their supplies of safe and nutritious food. With the wholesomeness of irradiated food clearly established by extensive scientific studies, food irradiation has important roles to play in both ensuring food safety and reducing food losses. Food irradiation may be one of the most significant contributions to public health to be made by food science and technology since the introduction of pasteurization. Because the promotion of a safe, nutritious and adequate food supply is an essential component of its primary health care strategy, WHO is concerned that the unwarranted rejection of this process may endanger public health and deprive consumers of the choice of food processed for safety.