Messages from NNF on Irradiation

[Forbes-Ewan, Chris]

There has been some discussion about food irradiation on this listserv
lately. Nutrition News Focus -- a daily (approx.) electronic nutrition
newsletter from Wayne State University in Detroit addresses topical
nutrition issues. These messages are aimed at the general public. The
message for today (below my signature block) concerns meat irradiation.
Further below is another message from NNF (sent last year) on food
irradiation in general.

Regards,

Chris Forbes-Ewan

Senior Nutritionist
Defence Nutrition Research Centre
76 George St
Scottsdale  Tas  7260
Australia

Phone:	Int + 61 3 6352 6607	(03 6352 6607 within Australia)
Fax: 	Int + 61 3 6352 3044	(03 6352 3044 within Australia)

E-mail:	chris.forbes-ewan at dsto.defence.gov.au

The views expressed in this message are those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the position of the Defence Science and Technology
Organisation or of the Australian Department of Defence.


January 28, 2000
NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
"Nutrition news is important.  We help you understand it!"

Today's Topic: Irradiated Meat Is On The Way

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved irradiation of
meat on December 15, 1999.  Irradiation is used as a type of
pasteurization to kill bacteria that can contaminate meat.  This is
especially a problem in ground meat, where a large surface area
provides all the nutrients for germs to proliferate.

The USDA will require irradiated meat and meat products to carry the
international symbol for irradiation on labeling plus a statement
that the product was treated with irradiation.  For unpackaged meat
products that do not have labels, the statement and symbol must be
displayed at the point of sale.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Irradiated meat does not
become radioactive.  Neither do you when you get an x-ray.  The
processes are very similar.  This treatment will not eliminate the
need for safe handling of meats.  Taste of the meat will be
unaffected.  There are very small amounts of URPs produced -
unidentified radiolytic products.   These are similar to chemical
changes as a result of cooking.  Foes of irradiation may seize on
this issue to keep these products from being accepted by the public.



April 19, 1999 
NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
"Nutrition news is important.  We help you understand it!"

Today's Topic: Zapping Food For Safety 

Food irradiation is getting a serious look from meat processors
because of the many large product recalls due to contamination with
various types of bacteria.  The U.S. government recently approved the
use of irradiation on fresh meat products.  In fact, irradiation of
spices has been used quietly for many years.  These products often
come from tropical areas where contamination is very common.

Irradiation of meat clearly makes it safer for the consumer.  It 
certainly does not replace the need to handle meats carefully to 
avoid food poisoning.  There is some concern that radiation creates
changes in the meat called URPs, for unidentified radiolytic
products.  These are formed by the high energy rays breaking up
protein in the meat and are present in very low concentrations.  URPs
may not be very different from changes resulting from cooking,  They
have been fed to lab animals with no evidence of harm, but we don't 
have definitive evidence on them yet.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:  Most importantly, irradiation does not
make food radioactive.  Exposure to a radioactive source kills most,
or all, of the bacteria on meat in a process similar to the rapid
heating in pasteurization.  Irradiation can be used on solid foods
while pasteurization is limited to liquids.  The small hypothetical
risk from URPs should be balanced with the very real risk of food
poisoning.


********************************************************************
Please recommend Nutrition News Focus to your family and friends.
If you like, point your browser to
http://www.nutritionnewsfocus.com/cgi-bin/birdcast.cgi
where you'll find an easy recommendation form.

DISCLAIMER: The information in Nutrition News Focus is intended
only to help you understand the Nutrition News.  We do not recommend
any treatment, food or supplement.  It is not intended to replace
the advice of a physician.  If you read something in this newsletter
that in any way contradicts what your physician tells you, TAKE YOUR
PHYSICIAN'S ADVICE, NOT OURS.

Copyright 2000 Nutrition News Focus Inc.

********************************************************************
*  NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
*  We take the confusion out of the nutrition news
*  For a free subscription to our daily email newsletter:
*  Send a blank email to subscribe at NutritionNewsFocus.com
*  Or visit our website at http://www.NutritionNewsFocus.com
********************************************************************


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe,   send a blank message to subscribe at NutritionNewsFocus.com
To unsubscribe, send a blank message to unsubscribe at NutritionNewsFocus.com
To change your email address, send a message to
change at NutritionNewsFocus.com
   with the other address in the Subject: line