Food irradiation

WikiDoc Resources for Food irradiation

Articles

Most recent articles on Food irradiation

Most cited articles on Food irradiation

Review articles on Food irradiation

Articles on Food irradiation in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Food irradiation

Images of Food irradiation

Photos of Food irradiation

Podcasts & MP3s on Food irradiation

Videos on Food irradiation

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Food irradiation

Bandolier on Food irradiation

TRIP on Food irradiation

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Food irradiation at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Food irradiation

Clinical Trials on Food irradiation at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Food irradiation

NICE Guidance on Food irradiation

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Food irradiation

CDC on Food irradiation

Books

Books on Food irradiation

News

Food irradiation in the news

Be alerted to news on Food irradiation

News trends on Food irradiation

Commentary

Blogs on Food irradiation

Definitions

Definitions of Food irradiation

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Food irradiation

Discussion groups on Food irradiation

Patient Handouts on Food irradiation

Directions to Hospitals Treating Food irradiation

Risk calculators and risk factors for Food irradiation

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Food irradiation

Causes & Risk Factors for Food irradiation

Diagnostic studies for Food irradiation

Treatment of Food irradiation

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Food irradiation

International

Food irradiation en Espanol

Food irradiation en Francais

Business

Food irradiation in the Marketplace

Patents on Food irradiation

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Food irradiation

File:Radura-Symbol.svgThe Radura logo, used to show a food has been treated with radiation.

Food irradiation is the process of exposing food to ionizing radiation in order to destroy microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, or insects that might be present in the food. Further applications include sprout inhibition, delay of ripening, increase of juice yield, improvement of re-hydration. Irradiation is a more general term of deliberate exposure of materials to radiation to achieve a technical goal. As such it is also used on non-food items, such as medical hardware, plastics, tubes for gas-pipelines, tires, and even gemstones.

Food irradiation is sometimes referred to as cold pasteurization[1] or electronic pasteurization[2] because ionizing radiation used to sterilize the food does not heat the food to high temperatures during the process, as in heat-pasteurization (at a typical dose of 10 kGy, food that is physically equivalent to water would warm by about 2.5 °C). The treatment of solid food by ionizing radiation can provide an effect similar to heat pasteurization of liquids, such as milk. However, the use of the term, cold pasteurization, to describe irradiated foods is controversial, because pasteurization and irradiation are fundamentally different processes, although the intended end results can in some cases be similar.

Food irradiation is currently permitted by over 40 countries[3] and volumes are estimated to exceed 500 000 metric tons annually world wide[4]

## Contents

* 1 Food irradiation
* 2 Irradiation doses
* 2.1 Unit of measure for irradiation dose
* 2.2 Dosimetry
* 3 Applications
* 3.1 Low Dose Applications (up to 1 kGy)
* 3.2 Medium Dose Applications (1 kGy to 10 kGy)
* 3.3 High Dose Applications (above 10 kGy)
* 4 Technologies
* 4.1 Electron irradiation
* 4.2 Gamma irradiation
* 4.3 X-ray irradiation
* 5 Irradiated foods in the market place
* 5.1 Current U.S. market
* 5.2 Consumer perception
* 5.3 Food irradiation and a globalized food supply
* 5.4 Labeling
* 5.5 Enforcement of Labelling
* 6 Safety aspects of food irradiation
* 6.1 Safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods
* 6.2 Irradiation to cover up poor food quality
* 6.3 Worker safety and impact on the environment
* 7 Economics
* 8 Alternatives
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 Notes
* 12 External links
* 12.1 Codex Alimentarius
* 12.2 Other websites

## Food irradiation

[edit | edit source]

By irradiating food, depending on the dose, some or all of the harmful bacteria and other pathogens present are killed. This prolongs the shelf-life of the food in cases where microbial spoilage is the limiting factor. Some foods (e.g., herbs and spices) are irradiated at sufficient doses (five kilograys or more) to reduce the microbial counts by several orders of magnitude; such ingredients will not carry over spoilage or pathogen microorganisms into the final product. It has also been shown that irradiation can delay the ripening of fruits or the sprouting of vegetables. [5]

The United States Department of Agriculture has approved the use of low-level irradiation as an alternative treatment to pesticides for fruits and vegetables that are considered hosts to a number of insect pests, including fruit flies and seed weevils; US FDA has cleared among a number of other applications the treatment of hamburger patties to eliminate the residual risk of a contamination by a virulent E. coli. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has passed a motion to commit member states to implement irradiation technology for their national phytosanitary programs; the General assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has urged to make wider use of the irradiation technology; the World Health Organization (WHO) has complained that food irradiation is not available to those who need it most because of reluctance and opposition in some developed countries. And the USDA has made a number of bi-lateral agreements with developing countries to facilitate the imports of exotic fruits and to simplify the quarantine procedures.

Currently, the European Union has regulated processing of food by ionizing radiation in specific directives since 1999; the situation is easily explored and the several documents and reports are accessible.[6] The 'implementing' directive contains a 'positive list' only permitting irradiation of dried aromatic herbs, spices, and vegetable seasonings[7]. However, any Member State is permitted to maintain previously granted clearances or to add new clearance as granted in other Member States, in the case the EC's Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) has given a positive vote for the respective application. Presently, six Member States (Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom) have adopted such provisions.[8]

Because of the 'Single Market' of the EC, any food--even if irradiated--must be allowed to be marketed in any other Member State even if a general ban of food irradiation prevails, under the condition that the food has been irradiated legally in the state of origin. Furthermore, imports into the EC are possible from third countries if the irradiation facility had been inspected and licensed by the EC and the treatment is legal within the EC or some Member state[9] . The Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the EC has given a positive vote on eight categories of food to be irradiated[10]. However, in a compromise between the European Parliament and the European Commission, only dried aromatic herbs, spices, and vegetable seasonings can be found in the positive list. The European Commission was due to provide a final draft for the positive list by the end of 2000; however, this failed because of a veto from Germany and a few other Member States. In 1992[11] and in 1998[12] the SCF voted positive on a number of irradiation applications which had been allowed in some Member States before the EC Directives came into force, in order to enable those Member States to maintain the national authorizations. In 2003 (at the occasion when Codex Alimentarius was about to remove any upper dose limit for food irradiation) the SCF adopted a 'revised opinion'[13] which in fact is just a re-confirmation and endorsement of the 1986-opinion. The cancellation of the upper dose limit is denied, and before the actual list of individual items or food classes (as in the opinions expressed in 1986, 1992 and 1998) is expanded, new individual studies into the toxicology of each of such food and for each of the proposed dose ranges is requested. After 2003 the SCF has been replaced by the new European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which not yet has voted on processing food by ionizing radiation.

Other countries including New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, India, and Mexico have permitted the irradiation of fresh fruits for fruit fly quarantine purposes amongst others. Other countries as Pakistan and Brazil have adopted the Codex Alimentarius Standard on Irradiated Food without any reservation or restriction, ie. any food to any dose.

## Irradiation doses

[edit | edit source]

### Unit of measure for irradiation dose

[edit | edit source]

The dose of radiation is measured in the SI unit known as Gray (Gy). One Gray (Gy) dose of radiation is equal to 1 joule of energy absorbed per kg of food material. In radiation processing of foods, the doses are generally measured in kGy (1000 Gy).

### Dosimetry

[edit | edit source]

The measurement of radiation dose is referred to as dosimetry and it involves exposing dosimeters jointly with the treated food item.[14][15] Dosimeters are small components attached to the irradiated product made of materials that when exposed to ionizing radiation change specific measureable physical attributes to a degree that can be correllated to the dose received. Modern dosimeters are made of a range of materials such as alanine pellets, perspex blocks, radiochromic films, as well as special solutions. These dosimeters are used in combination with specialized read out devices. Standards that describe calibration and operation for radiation dosimetry are maintained by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM international) and are also available as ISO/ASTM standards.[16]

## Applications

[edit | edit source]

On the basis of the dose of radiation the application is generally divided into three main categories as detailed under:

### Low Dose Applications (up to 1 kGy)

[edit | edit source]

* Sprout inhibition in bulbs and tubers 0.03-0.15 kGy
* Delay in fruit ripening 0.25-0.75 kGy
* Insect disinfestation including, quarantine treatment and elimination of food borne parasites 0.07-1.00 kGy

### Medium Dose Applications (1 kGy to 10 kGy)

[edit | edit source]

* Reduction of spoilage microbes to improve shelf-life of meat, poultry and seafoods under refrigeration 1.50-3.00 kGy
* Elimination of pathogenic microbes in fresh and frozen meat, poultry and seafoods 3.00-7.00 kGy
* Reducing number of microorganisms in spices to improve hygenic quality 10.00 kGy

### High Dose Applications (above 10 kGy)

[edit | edit source]

* Sterilisation of packaged meat, poultry and their products which are shelf stable without refrigeration. 25.00-70.00 kGy
* Sterilisation of Hospital diets 25.00-70.00 kGy
* Product improvement as increased juice yield or improved re-hydration

It is important to note that these doses are above those currently permitted for these food items by the FDA and other regulators around the world. The Codex Alimentarius Standard on Irradiated Food does not specify any upper dose limit.[17][18] NASA is authorized to sterilize food for Astronauts at doses of 44 kGy as a notable exception[citation needed].

Irradiation treatments are also sometimes classified as radappertization,radicidation and radurization

## Technologies

[edit | edit source]

### Electron irradiation

[edit | edit source]

Electron irradiation uses electrons accelerated in an electric field to a velocity close to the speed of light. Electrons are particulate radiation and have cross section many times larger than photons, so that they do not penetrate the product beyond a few inches depending on product density. Electron facilities rely on substantial concrete shields to protect workers and the environment from radiation exposure.

### Gamma irradiation

[edit | edit source]

Gamma radiation is radiation of photons in the gamma part of the spectrum. The radiation is obtained through the use of radioisotopes, generally Cobalt-60 or, in theory, Caesium-137. Caesium-137 is recovered during the refinement of spent nuclear fuel. Because this technology - except for military applications - is not commercially available, insufficient quantities of it are available on the global isotope markets for use in large scale, commercial irradiators. Presently, Caesium-137 is used only in small hospital units to treat blood before transfusion to prevent Graft-versus-host disease.

Food irradiation using Cobalt-60 is the preferred method by most processors, because the better penetration enables administering treatment to entire industrial pallets or totes, reducing the need for material handling[19]. A pallet or tote is typically exposed for several minutes depending on dose. Radioactive material must be monitored and carefully stored to shield workers and the environment from its gamma rays. With most designs the radioisotope can be lowered into a water-filled source storage pool to allow maintenance personnel to enter the radiation shield. In this mode the water in the pool absorbs the radiation. Other uncommonly used designs feature dry storage by providing movable shields that reduce radiation levels in areas of the irradiation chamber.

One variant of gamma irradiators keeps the Cobalt-60 under water at all times and lowers the product to be irradiated under water in hermetic bells. No further shielding is required for such designs.

### X-ray irradiation

[edit | edit source]

Similar to gamma radiation, X-rays are photon radiation of a wide energy spectrum and an alternative to isotope based irradiation systems. X-rays are generated by colliding accelerated electrons with a dense material such as Tantalum in a process known as bremsstrahlung-conversion. X-ray irradiators are scalable and have good penetration, with the added benefit of using an electronic source that stops radiating when switched off. They also permit very good dose uniformity. However, these systems generally have low energetic efficiency during the conversion of electron energy to photon radiation requiring much more electrical energy than other systems and longer exposure times than those required by gamma rays or electron beams. Like most other types of facilities, X-ray systems rely on concrete shields to protect the environment and workers from radiation.

## Irradiated foods in the market place

[edit | edit source]

### Current U.S. market

[edit | edit source]

Many U.S. supermarkets carry irradiated food products today ranging from fresh tropical fruit from Hawaii or Florida,[20] dehydrated spices[21] and ground meat products.[22][23] Certain supermarkets like Whole Foods Market prefer not carry the product for reasons of consumer perception.[24]

### Consumer perception

[edit | edit source]

Some older studies suggest that majority of the public questions the safety of irradiated foods, and if given a choice, will not buy foods that have been irradiated.[25] More recent consumer attitude and markets studies worldwide, however, indicate consumers today will tend to accept irradiated food. Major studies in the United States indicate the number of consumers concerned about the safety of irradiated food has decreased in the last 10 years and continues to be less than the number of those concerned about pesticide residues, microbiological contamination, and other food-related concerns. Where ever irradiated food has reached the market, it has found a sufficient number of consumers to buy it. A number of marketing tests has proven, that consumers as soon as they are allowed to try the real irradiated food item and are informed about the technology and the purpose of the treatment are willing to buy. The number of people reporting no concerns about irradiated food is among the lowest for food issues, comparable to that of people with no concern about food additives and preservatives.[26]

### Food irradiation and a globalized food supply

[edit | edit source]

Opponents of food irradiation sometimes state that large-scale irradiation would increase processing, transportation, and handling times for fruits and vegetables thus contributing to a negative ecological balance compared to locally grown foods.

### Labeling

[edit | edit source]

Labeling laws differ from country to country. While Codex Alimentarius represents the global standard in particular under the WTO-agreement, member states are free to convert those standards into national regulations. With regard to labelling of irradiated food detailed rules are published at CODEX-STAN - 1 (2005) labelling of prepacked food[27]

The provisions are that any 'first generation' product must be labelled 'irradiated' as any product derived directly from an irradiated raw material; for ingredients the provisions is that even the last molecule of an irradiated ingredient must be listed with the ingredients even in cases where the unirradiated ingredient will not appear on the label. The RADURA-logo is optional; several countries use a graphical version which differs from the Codex-version.

In the US as in many other countries irradiated food must be labeled as "Treated with irradiation" or "Treated by radiation" and require the usage of the Radura symbol at the point of sale. However, the meaning of the label is not consistent. The amount of irradiation used can vary and since there are no published standards, the amount of pathogens affected by irradiation can be variable as well. In addition, there are no regulations regarding the levels of pathogen reduction that must be achieved. Food that is processed as an ingredient by a restaurant or food processor is exempt from the labeling requirement.

FDA is currently proposing a rule that in some cases would allow certain irradiated foods to be marketed without any labeling at all. Under the new rules, only those irradiated foods in which the irradiation causes a material change in the food, or a material change in the consequences that may result from the use of the food, would bear the Radura symbol and the term "irradiated", or a derivative thereof, in conjunction with explicit language describing the change in the food or its conditions of use. In the same rule FDA is proposing to permit a firm to use the terms "electronically pasteurized" or "cold pasteurized" in lieu of "irradiated", provided it notifies the agency that the irradiation process being used meets the criteria specified for use of the term "pasteurized".[28]

### Enforcement of Labelling

[edit | edit source]

There are analytical methods available to detect the usage of irradiation on food items in the marketplace.[29][30][31] This is understood as a tool for government authorities to enforce existing labeling standards and to bolster consumer confidence. The European Union is particularly strict in enforcing irradiation labeling requiring its member countries to perform tests on a cross section of food items in the market-place and to report to the European Commission; the results are published annually in the OJ of the European Communities.[32]

## Safety aspects of food irradiation

[edit | edit source]

### Safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods

[edit | edit source]

Hundreds of animal feeding studies of irradiated food, including multigenerational studies, have been performed since 1950.[33] Endpoints investigated have included subchronic and chronic changes in metabolism, histopathology, and function of most systems; reproductive effects; growth; teratogenicity; and mutagenicity. Because a large number of studies has been performed, some have demonstrated adverse effects of irradiation, but no consistent pattern has emerged.[34][35] Independent reviews of the scientific evidence by a series of expert committees, involving the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI), as well as the FDA have concluded that irradiation of foods under specified conditions is safe.[36][37][38]

Some consumer advocacy groups like Public Citizen or Food and Water Watch maintain that the safety of irradiated food is not proven and strongly oppose the use of the technology.[39][40]

### Irradiation to cover up poor food quality

[edit | edit source]

Concerns have sometimes been expressed by public interest groups and public health experts that irradiation, as a non-preventive measure, might disguise or otherwise divert attention away from poor working conditions, sanitation, and poor food-handling procedures that lead to contamination in the first place.[41]

Processors of irradiated food are subject to all existing regulations, inspections, and potential penalties regarding plant safety and sanitization; including fines, recalls, and criminal prosecutions. Furthermore, while food irradiation can in some cases maintain the quality of certain perishable food for a longer period of time, it can not undo spoilage effects that occur prior to irradiation. Irradiation can therefore not be successfully used to mask quality issues other than pathogens. Under a HACCP-concept Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point radiation processing can serve and contribute as an ultimate CCP (Critical Control Point).

### Worker safety and impact on the environment

[edit | edit source]

Experience over more than 40 years in the field of radiation processing has shown that such technology is generally safely used.[42] The steady improvement in the design of such facilities and careful selection and training of operators have contributed to a very good safety record. Nevertheless, there have been instances, as in Italy in 1975, in Norway in 1982 and in El Salvador in 1989, when safety systems have been circumvented and serious radiological accidents involving workers at the facilities have ensued.[43]

The safety of irradiation facilities is regulated by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and monitored by the different national Nuclear Regulatory Commissions. The incidents that have occurred in the past are documented by the agency and thoroughly analyzed to determine root cause and improvement potential. Such improvements are then mandated to retrofit existing facilities and future design.

National and international regulations on the levels and types of energy used to irradiate food generally set standards that prevent the possibility of inducing radioactivity in treated foods. Care must be taken not to expose the operators and the environment to radiation. Interlocks and safeguards are mandated to minimize this risk. Nevertheless there have been radiation related deaths and injury amongst workers of such facilities, many of them caused by the operators themselves overriding the interlocks.[44]

An incident in Decatur, Georgia where water soluble caesium-137 leaked into the source storage pool requiring NRC intervention[45] has led to near elimination of this radioisotope; it has been replaced by the more costly, non-water soluble cobalt-60.

## Economics

[edit | edit source]

Some foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, are naturally restricted from sale on the global market, unless they are irradiated to prolong quality for transportation. Less spoilage at the receiving end means fewer discards, lowering the unit cost. Irradiation has also been used to reduce bacteria counts in seafood that is shipped over long distances. Because irradiation can reduce pest infestations, it has opened the markets for previously prohibited items, such as mangoes from India that otherwise have a risk of carrying certain insects and pathogens with them into the importing country. Insect pests can have a devastating effect on crop production. They can also transmit diseases that destroy crops and kill livestock and people. Heavy reliance on pesticides raises environmental concerns and problems of pest adaptation and resistance. As a result, many countries are seeking to minimize insecticide use through irradiation techniques.

Such benefits are offset by the cost of this rather capital intensive technology. The actual cost of food irradiation is influenced by dose requirements, the food's tolerance of radiation, handling conditions (i.e., packaging and stacking requirements), construction costs, financing arrangements, and other variables particular to the situation.[46] Irradiation is a capital-intensive technology requiring a substantial initial investment, ranging from $1 million to $5 million. In the case of large research or contract irradiation facilities, major capital costs include a radiation source (cobalt-60), hardware (irradiator, totes and conveyors, control systems, and other auxiliary equipment), land (1 to 1.5 acres), radiation shield, and warehouse. Operating costs include salaries (for fixed and variable labor), utilities, maintenance, taxes/insurance, cobalt-60 replenishment, general utilities, and miscellaneous operating costs[47][48]

Treatment costs vary as a function of dose and facility usage. Low dose applications such as desinfestation of fruit range between $US 0.01/lbs and $US 0.08/lbs while higher dose applications can cost as much as $US 0.20 / lbs.[49]

## Alternatives

[edit | edit source]

Other methods to reduce different pathogens in food include pasteurization, Ultra-high temperature processing, UV radiation, Ozone or fumigation with ethylene oxide.

Insect pests can also be eliminated fumigation with methyl bromide or aluminum phosphine, vapour heat, forced hot air, hot water dipping, or cold treatment. However, the Mango weevil sitting in the stone of the fruit can only be reached by ionizing radiation.

Other methods to extend shelf life of food items include modified atmosphere packaging, carbon monixide, dehydration, vacuum packaging, freezing and flash freezing as well as chemical additives. However, such methods are not effective for products already deep-frozen where only ionizing radiation can penetrate the product (without re-thawing).

Some people argue that the best alternative to food irradiation to reduce pathogens is in good agricultural practices. For example, farmers and processing plants should improve sanitation practices, water used for irrigation and processing should be regularly tested for E. coli, and production plants should be routinely inspected. concentrated animal feeding operations near farmland where produce is grown should be regulated. However, such methods as also practised in organic farming can only reduce the extend of the load with microorganisms of all kind; a residual flora including pathogen germs will always persist; and processing by ionizing radiation could be the ultimate measure (as a CCP under a HACCP-concept) to practically eliminate such risks.

## See also

[edit | edit source]

* Deinococcus radiodurans
* Irradiated mail

## References

[edit | edit source]

* World Health Organization publications:
* Food irradiation -- A technique for preserving and improving the safety of Food, WHO, Genf, 1988
* Wholesomeness of irradiated food, WHO, Genf, Technical Report Series no. 659, 1981
* Safety and nutritional adequacy of irradiated food, WHO, Genf, 1994
* High-dose irradiation: Wholesomeness of food irradiated with doses above 10 kGy, WHO, Genf, 1999, Technical Report Series no. 890
* WHO Statement on 2-Dodecylcyclobutanone and Related Compounds
* Diehl, J.F., Safety of irradiated food, Marcel Dekker, N.Y., 1995 (2. ed.)
* Satin, M., Food irradiation, Technomic, Lancaster, 1993 (2. ed.)
* Urbain, W.M., Food irradiation, Academic Press, Orlando, 1986
* Molins, R. (ed.), Food irradiation - Principles and applications, Wiley Interscience, N.Y., 2001
* Sommers, C.H. and Fan, X. (eds.), Food Irradiation Research and Technology, Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006

## Notes

[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/foods/458-300/458-300.html
2. ↑ See, e.g., The Truth about Irradiated Meat, CONSUMER REPORTS 34-37 (Aug. 2003).
3. ↑ http://nucleus.iaea.org/NUCLEUS/nucleus/Content/Applications/FICdb/FoodIrradiationClearances.jsp?module=cif
4. ↑ http://www.mindfully.org/Food/Irradiation-Position-ADA.htm
5. ↑ anon., Food Irradiation - A technique for preserving and improving the safety of food, WHO, Geneva, 1991
6. ↑ http://eu.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/comm_legisl_en.htm
7. ↑ http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pri/en/oj/dat/1999/l_066/l_06619990313en00240025.pdf
8. ↑ http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/c_112/c_11220060512en00060007.pdf
9. ↑ http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_314/l_31420041013en00140015.pdf
10. ↑ http://eu.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/scf_reports_18.pdf
11. ↑ http://eu.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/scf_reports_31.pdf
12. ↑ http://eu.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out15_en.html
13. ↑ http://eu.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out193_en.pdf
14. ↑ anon., Dosimetry for Food Irradiation, IAEA, Vienna, 2002, Technical Reports Series no. 409 http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/pdf/TRS409_scr.pdf
15. ↑ K. Mehta, Radiation Processing Dosimetry - A practical manual, 2006, GEX Corporation, Centennial, USA
16. ↑ (see Annual Book of ASTM Standards, vol. 12.02, West Conshohocken,PA, USA)
17. ↑ General Standard for Irradiated Foods, STAN 106-1983, REV. 1-2003 1. http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/16/CXS_106_2003e.pdf
18. ↑ Recommended International Code of Practice for Radiation Processing of Food, CAC/RCP 19-1979, Rev. 2-2003 http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/18/CXP_019e.pdf
19. ↑ anon., Gamma Irradiators for Radiation Processing, IAEA, Vienna, 2005
20. ↑ http://www.hawaiipride.com/
21. ↑ http://ccr.ucdavis.edu/irr/inus1.shtml
22. ↑ http://ccr.ucdavis.edu/irr/inus1.shtml
23. ↑ http://www.citizen.org/print_article.cfm?ID=11108
24. ↑ "Whole Foods Market, Food Safety, Irradiated Meat". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
25. ↑ Food Marketing Institute poll 2000
26. ↑ Consumer Attitudes and Market Response to Irradiated Food, Author: Bruhn, Christine M.1 Journal of Food Protection®, Volume 58, Number 2, February 1995 , pp. 175-181(7), Publisher: International Association for Food Protection
27. ↑ http://www.codexalimentarius.net//download/standards/32/CXS_001e.pdf
28. ↑ http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ContentViewer?objectId=0900006480220052&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf
29. ↑ McMurray, C.H., Gray, R., Stewart, E.M., Pearce, J., Detection methods for irradiated foods, Royal Society of Chemistry; Cam-bridge (GB); 1996
30. ↑ Raffi, J., Delincee, H., Marchioni, E., Hasselmann, C., Sj)berg, A.-M., Leonardi, M., Kent, M., B)gl, K.-W., Schreiber, G., Ste-venson, H., Meier, W., Concerted action of the community bureau of reference on methods of identification of irradiated foods; bcr information; European Commission; Luxembourg; 1994, 119 p.; EUR--15261
31. ↑ General Codex Methods for the Detection of Irradiated Foods, CODEX STAN 231-2001, Rev.1 2003, http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/377/CXS_231e.pdf
32. ↑ http://ec.europa.eu/food/biosafety/irradiation/index_htm and select respective annual report and language
33. ↑ http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4603.1981.tb00539.x?journalCode=jts
34. ↑ http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4603.1981.tb00539.x?journalCode=jts
35. ↑ Thayer DW, Christopher JP, Campbell LA, Toxicology studies of irradiation-sterilized chicken
36. ↑ World Health Organization. Safety and Nutritional Adequacy of Irradiated Food. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1994
37. ↑ US Department of Health, and Human Services, Food, and Drug Administration Irradiation in the production, processing, and handling of food. Federal Register 1986; 51:13376-13399
38. ↑ World Health Organization. High-Dose Irradiation: Wholesomeness of Food Irradiated With Doses Above 10 kGy. Report of a Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO Study Group. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1999. WHO Technical Report Series No. 890
39. ↑ http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/food_irrad/articles.cfm?ID=11803
40. ↑ http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/foodirradiation/food-irradiation
41. ↑ http://www.organicconsumers.org/irrad/epsteinsanitation.rtf
42. ↑ http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub925_web.pdf http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub925_web.pdf
43. ↑ http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub925_web.pdf http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub925_web.pdf
44. ↑ International Atomic Energy Agency, The Radiological Accident in Soreq, http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub925_web.pdf
45. ↑ http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/info-notices/1989/in89082.html
46. ↑ (Forsythe and Evangel 1993, USDA 1989)
47. ↑ (Kunstadt et al., USDA 1989)
48. ↑ http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/mbr/casestudies/volume2/irad2.html
49. ↑ http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/mbr/casestudies/volume2/irad2.html

## External links

[edit | edit source]

### Codex Alimentarius

[edit | edit source]

* Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Irradiated Foods (CAC/STAN 106-1983, rev.1 2003
* Codex Alimentarius Recommended International Code of Practice Code for Radiation Processing of Foods (CAC/RCP 19-1979, rev.2 - 2003)

### Other websites

[edit | edit source]

* U.S. Food Irradiation FAQ, Food and Water Watch
* Irradiation Fact Sheet, The Center for Food Safety
* Facts about Food Irradiation, a series of 14 fact sheets, International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1991 Template:En icon
* Bibliography on Food Irradiation, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany Template:En icon
* Official website of the Food Irradiation Processors Alliance
* Should we irradiate fruit and vegetables? A Dateline investigation
* Irradiation FAQ provided by Phytosan S.A. de C.V. of Mexico Template:En icon

Template:Nuclear Technology

de:Lebensmittelbestrahlung

Template:WH Template:WS