A paper from the PNRI attests that four decades of scientific work have established the safety of
irradiated food, earning the endorsement of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Therefore this study was designed to evaluate the impact of ionizing radiations, including gamma (g) and electron (e) beam, on beef jerky through detection of induced hydrocarbons and develop any possible irradiation markers for determination of
irradiated food samples and consequently to enhance their global trade.
"The idea of eating food that has been irradiated concerns some consumers," Moreira says, "But
irradiated food is completely safe, and may even be better than food that has not been irradiated."
More than one year after the nuclear disaster,
irradiated food detected still exceeds old and new safety standards (Mainichi Shinbun 29.03.2012).
In 2004, in the journal Int Hyg Environ Health, researchers from the University of Texas published their paper "Health concerns regarding consumption of
irradiated food." They wrote: "Food irradiation is being promoted as a simple process that can be used to effectively and significantly reduce food-borne illnesses around the world.
"It is a shame that people still think
irradiated food can be harmful, especially as they have been deemed safe by expert scientists at the FAO, IAEA and the UN," Byron told Gulf News.
Irradiated food produced in accordance with established good manufacturing practice (GMP) is safe because the process of irradiation does not lead to changes in the composition of the food that would have an adverse effect on human health.
Neurological problems were found in cats consuming
irradiated food in Australia last year, and after this problem, that country dropped the requirement for irradiation for those foods.
Labeling laws dictate that any
irradiated food must carry the statement "treated by irradiation" and must display the irradiation symbol on its label--and that, to producers, is akin to business suicide, as consumers are afraid of, or at least uncertain about,
irradiated food.
"There is no reason to suspect a toxicological hazard due to consumption of an
irradiated food," the FDA concluded.