Consumer Acceptance of Irradiated Food
Food irradiation--the exposure of food to high energy gamma radiation for
the purpose of post-harvest insect control, extension of shelf-life, and the
killing of harmful bacteria in meats and seafood--has been the focus of
heated debate between the scientific community and citizen advocacy groups
for nearly twenty years. This highly controversial technology holds the promise
of safer food that stays fresh longer, but raises many concerns about its
potential negative effects on human health.
The following links are to web pages regarding this controversial issue.
Organizations and Agencies That Support Food Irradiation
ISU's Food Irradiation Page.
The American Dietetic Association.
The American Medical Association.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Organizations and Agencies That Oppose Food Irradiation
Food and Water, Inc.
Cancer Prevention Coalition.
Public Citizen
Organic Consumers Association
Current News Items
Schools Seem To Be In No Hurry To Buy Irradiated Beef.
Rejection in Iowa and Nebraska School Districts.
Info on Irradiated Foods for School Lunch Misleads.
Facing Pseudoscience and Toxic Terrorism in New Jersey.
Irradiation Stocks Soar After Salmonella Scare.
Poor Sales of Irradiated Ground Beef.
Controversy Among Scientists.