Irradiated Food

Here is something I found today that I'm passing on as consumer information. It is the new symbol for irradiated food.

I am not opposed to using a gamma-ray source for killing microbes in our food. I do think that consumers have the right to know that this process has been used on food that they choose or not choose to purchase.

Food exposed to gamma-rays does not make food radioactive, just like exposing food to microwaves. The controversy is about what happens to the molecular bonds as a result of the exposure. What kind of reactive chemical species are produced and what potential harm can they induce in the human body that is different from that produced in regular cooking?

There is no question that biologically contaminated food is a serious health risk. Corporate farming and food processing has it's own set of issues that are far from perfect, but as a whole, food is fairly safe in this country. Food from other countries presents even more challenges.

Preservation of food for the duration of harvesting, transporting, and retailing is another big issue. Irradiation gives food a much longer 'shelf life.' I think the other major question is whether this causes significant loss of nutrition. Even without irradiation, long periods been harvest and consumption results in nutritional breakdown and oxidation.

In a nutshell, fresh is better. Local is fresher. We would all be a little better off with a vegetable garden and some fruit trees.