So the FDA is now allowing food producers to zap our food. Specifically, food producers will expose spinach and lettuce to irradiation, using enough radiation to kill E. coli and dangerous germs, which meat and poultry producers already do.
I have to be honest. I do not know the ins and outs of irradiation. Fortunately, what I do know is how to google “irradiation,” to help me begin my education and understanding of the various arguments made for and against the radiation of food. As is the case with other food debates (organic versus conventional foods versus GM foods), there are 2 prevalent points of view. On the one side seems to be food producers and their supporters who consider irradiation a way to help prevent food borne illnesses, spoiling and infestation of foods. Supporters of irradiation see it as a practical way to increase the shelf life of foods that have a tendency to spoil. Of course, opponents to irradiation consider it a method for concealing poor agricultural and sanitation practices. Other concerns had by opponents to irradiation include worker safety, the effect of radiation on food and seeds, and the safety of consuming foods treated with radiation. To read more about the position of organic consumers, go here.
At present, Whole Foods Market does not sell irradiated foods, which are labeled by food suppliers with “Treated with Radiation”, “Treated with Irradiation”, and possibly “electronic pasteurization.”
Like I said, I am no expert on irradiation, so I’ll leave you with a few articles to read so that you can decide for yourself whether or not irradiated foods are or will be a part of you and your family’s diet. In the meantime, while the verdict is out, I’ll be sticking to fresh foods and buying local.
More Reading on Irradiation
Charlotte P. Brennand, PhD, Extension Food Safety Specialist’s “Food Irradiation”
MSNBC’s “FDA: OK to zap spinach, lettuce with radiation”
OrganicConsumer.org’s “Preventing Pathogenic Food Poisoning: Sanitation not Irradiation”
Wikipedia’s “Food Irradiation”
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It seems that it’s a matter of the level of irradiation. I do a lab with my students with irradiated radish seeds. The seeds that have been exposed to low levels grow better than those without exposure and those with high exposure, since pathogens have been removed from them.
I think like GM, I’m not exposed to it in principle, as many consumers are, I just feel like irradiation of lettuce and spinach shouldn’t be necessary, and supports a corrupt industry.
I agree, it shouldn’t be necessary, and that a part of the trouble is that the average person really doesn’t understand radiation, but it’s a great fear word.
With all this mess, I’m just more motivated to work with my own garden. No worry about if the entire process to bring the food to the grocery store was sanitary or not.
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