Table Of ContentSECOND EDinON
FOOD
IRRADIATION
A Guidebook
SECOND EDITION
FOOD
IRRADIATION
A Guidebook
Morton Satin
CRC PRESS
Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C.
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Main entry under title:
Food Irradiation: a Guidebook. Second Edition
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Originally published by Technomic Publishing
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Printed in the United States of America I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Printed on acid-free paper
In loving memory ofT illy, Arthur, Percy and Mamie
Young men, have confidence in those powerful and safe methods, of
which we do not yet know all the secrets. And, whatever your career may
be, do not let yourselves become tainted by a deprecating and barren
skepticism, do not let yourselves be discouraged by the sadness ofc ertain
hours which pass over nations. Uve in the serene peace of laboratories
and libraries. Say to yourselves first: ''What have I done for my instruc
tion?" and, as you gradually advance, "What have I done for my
country?'' until the time comes when you may have the immense happi
ness of thinking that you have contributed in some way to the progress
and to the good of humanity. But, whether our efforts are or not favored
by life, let us be able to say, when we come near the great goal, "I have
done what I could:'
Louis Pasteur
~ber27, 1892
CONTENTS
Preface to the Second Edition xi
Preface to the First Edition xiii
Introduction xvii
1. Foocllrradlatlon 1
What Is Irradiation? 3
Radioactivity 6
How Is It Similar to Other Processes? 16
In What Way Does Irradiation Affect Foods? 19
Radiation Units 20
A Short History of Food Irradiation 22
2. Pasteurization 27
The Early Work 27
Commercial Pasteurization 30
Pasteurization Finally Succeeds 34
Some Counuies Still Do Not Have Pasteurized Milk 36
The Relationship between Pasteurization and Food
Irradiation 37
Irradiated Milk 39
3. Fooclbome Diseases 43
Perception of the Problem 43
'Ierminology 46
vii
viii Contents
Our Awareness of Foodbome Disease 48
Bacterial Diseases 50
Mold Diseases 62
Viruses 62
Parasites 64
The Costs of Foodborne Disease 68
u. .
4. The of Irradiation to Prevent the 71
Spread of Fooclborne Diseases
Why Use Food Irradiation? 71
The Poultry Industry 75
Spices 78
5. The Prevention of Food Losses 81
after Harvesting
The Extent of Losses 81
Causes of Losses 83
The Need for Insect Quarantine 85
Control of Sprouting and Germination 89
Shelf life Extension of Perishable Foods 90
Delaying Ripening and Aging of Fruits and "'getables 90
Magnitude of Losses 90
6. Advocacy Oblectlons to Food Irradiation 95
Food Irradiation Complaint List 98
Food Irradiation Will Be Used to Mask Spoiled Food 99
Food Irradiation Will Discomage Strict Adherence to
Good Manufacturing Practices 101
Food Irradiation Will Preferentially Kill''Good''
Bacteria and Thus Encomage Greater
Growthof"Bad" Bacteria 101
Irradiated Foods Are Devitaliud and Denatured 103
Irradiated Foods Are Unnecessary in 'lbday' s
Food System 104
Food Irradiation Impairs the Flavor of Foods 104
Food Irradiation Fails to Destroy Bacterial
'lbxins in Foods 105
Irradiated Food May Be Radioactive 106
Irradiation Brings about Harmful Chemical
Changes in Foods 107
Irradiated Foods Can Cause Genetic Mutations 108
Polyploidy 108
The Food Irradiation Issue Needs a Properly Referenced
Scientific Report 112
The Lack of Difference between lrradialed and Nonirradiated
Foods Will Encourage Abuses 113
There Is No SatisfactoJ.Y 'lbst for Irradiated Foods 114
Irradiation in CombiDation with Other Processes Will
Reduce the Nutritive Value of Foods 116
Irradiated Foods Will Not Be Properly Labeled 116
Food Inadiation Is Dangerous to \\brkers and Will
Cause Environmental Damage 119
7. Irradiated Foods and the Consumer 125
Consumer Reaction to Irradiated Foods 125
Who Pennits Freedom of Choice for Consumers? 133
Influences upon Decision Makers 142
Positive Consumer Action 146
Legislation 146
Market Choices 148
Consumer Information 149
The Media lSI
8. Irradiation and the Food Industry 153
A Different Attitude towards Food Irradiation ISS
Risk versus Benefit 156
Irradiated Food Liabilities 157
Irradiated Food Advantages 1S9
Future Applications 16S
9. Some Final Thoughts 169
A WorldFreeofRisk 169
A Light at the End of the Tunnel 173
A Free and Informed Choice 179
References 183
Index 203
About the Author 211
