If you've done any research about food safety, especially after some of the worrisome news headlines we've posted in this space, one topic that has probably come up on your Google searches more than once is food irradiation, "a process in which approved foods are exposed to gamma rays, electron beams and x-rays," according to a USDA Fact Sheet.
While irradiation is said to make foods safer by reducing the harmful bacteria and parasites, the USDA claims it's no substitute for good sanitation and safety procedures. And, this interesting post from Grist.org (see link below) puts the discussion in better perspective, detailing the pros and cons of irradiation.
To the good, irradiation may reduce or eliminate harmful organisms hiding in foods like E.coli, salmonella and listeria and leaves no traces of radioactive materials. However, critics claim irradiation is merely a "BandAid" meant to cover up bigger more toxic problems with our food system that may have left a former children's dance teacher paralyzed from the waist down after being exposed to E.coli hiding in a grilled hamburger, according to a frightening New York Times feature.
Make up your own mind about the benefits of irradiated foods by watching these two interesting videos, the first produced by Iowa Public Television and the latter about the first irradiation facility at a public university (Iowa State).
Grist.org October 5, 2009
New York Times October 3, 2009
U.S. News and World Report February 26, 2009