Medicine Online
Any medical inquiries? Search MOL for answers:
NEWS
Home > News > 2004 > October > 12 > Health Tip: Irradiated Food Isn't Dangerous
Medical References
Diseases & Conditions
Women's Health
Mental Health
Men's Health
Healthy Choice News
Site Map Links
Medical Tips
Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news

Health Tip: Irradiated Food Isn't Dangerous

(HealthDayNews) -- Irradiation is a fairly recent safety technology that can eliminate disease-causing germs from foods, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Like pasteurization of milk or pressure cooking of canned foods, treating food with ionizing radiation can kill bacteria and parasites. Studies show that when irradiation is used, disease-causing germs are reduced or eliminated, foods do not become radioactive, and their nutritional value is unchanged.

At low doses, irradiation can be used on foods to eliminate insects. It also can inhibit the growth of molds, inhibit sprouting, and prolong foods' shelf life.

At higher doses, irradiation can be used on meat, poultry, grains, seafoods, fruits and vegetables to eliminate parasites and bacteria that cause foodborne disease. It's likely to have greatest application for raw foods that are made by mixing materials from many animals together, such as ground meat or sausage.



-- Anne Thompson

Last Updated: Oct-12-2004
HomeSitemap Contact UsAdvertisingPress RoomGive Us Your FeedbackRead Our Terms & Conditions and Our DisclaimerPrivacy Statement