Food Irradiation

The last few classes, we studied food irradiation. What are some benefits and some disadvantages of it. We researched the topic and then had a debate in groups.

These are some pros we found

Irradiation can kill or substantially reduce the number of potentially dangerous organisms in foods. Estimates range for 90 to 99.9%.

Irradiation can kill insects and pests infesting foods such as grains and flours without leaving chemical residues.

Irradiation can be used to sterilize food for immune-compromised individuals such as AIDS patients.

Irradiation has been deemed safe by various governmental agencies.

Proponents of irradiation compare the changes in food caused by irradiation (called radiolytic products) to products created by other processes such as cooking or freeze-drying.

Irradiation delays ripening and sprouting so food can be stored longe

And these are some of the cons we found:

environmental destruction

costs a lot!

problems have been discovered in animals that ate irradiated food (premature death, rare form of cancer, liver damage, vitamin deficiencies)

masks and encourages filthy conditions in slaughterhouses (kills bacteria but does nothing for feces, urine, pus, and vomit)

doesnt kill the pathogen that causes mad cow disease, either

destroys vitamins (80 % vitamin a in eggs, etc.)

can change the flavor, odor and texture of food (pork turns red, beef smells like wet dog, fruits and veggies become mushy, eggs can lose their color and become runny

disrupts the chemical composition of everything in its path

forces farmers and ranchers out of business, even WORSE for our economy

high energy gamma rays create free radicals in the cells they penetrate which is implicated in heart disease

new compounds are formed radiolytic products not sure whether they are toxic or not

food poisoning bacteria could become resistant to irradiation over time just like with antibiotics

kills good bacteria

Our group made a proposal we all agreed on this is it:

Dear FDA,

The students of ISB’s proposal to you is that irradiation must be proven to be healthier, without hazard and, in the long run, better for our economy before irradiated food is allowed to be produced and put into stores all around the world. It must also be clear that the food the customers are buying irradiated food.