Irradiation Of Food Commodities

The irradiation of food is a low cost, highly effective method of ensuring food safety, and extending shelf life. Public acceptance of irradiation, despite its benefits, however, has been a significant challenge. Irradiation of Food Commodities is the first holistic book that looks not only at the techniques, application and legislation of this method, but also addresses the concern of public opinion. Organized into logical themes and written by experts from industry, academia and research, this book will meet the needs of those working or considering the use of irradiation in their work. Sections focus on legislation, irradiation techniques and materials; detection and risk assessment; application of irradiation on food and consumer opinion. Insights into regulations from a variety of countries provides important information on government strategies Extensive coverage of applications, from animal food to food for human consumption, and disinfestation explores the various potential application opportunities available for consideration Addresses risk assessment -- key to governmental and more importantly consumer acceptance All topics in one volume for the first time provides complete vision of the technology

Food irradiation is increasingly used worldwide as a proven and effective method of food preservation, as well as for improvement of food safety and quality. The International Conference on Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Food through Radiation Processing convened for the presentation of new irradiation technology, and to assess the role of irradiation in ensuring the safety and nutritional adequacy of food of plant and animal origin. This new book presents the complete texts of all twenty reports from the conference. Examined are applications of the technology in produce, animal products, and prepared foods, the economics of various irradiation technologies, international regulations, the marketing of irradiated products to consumers and retail outlets, and irradiation's implications for the global trade in food and agricultural commodities. Also included is new information on the scientific, regulatory, and consumer acceptance status of food irradiation and the role this technology will play in the 21st century. The new information in this book will be useful to all those involved in the processing, preservation, and distribution of food, as well as food industry managers and regulatory personnel. To receive your copy promptly, please order now. Information on ordering follows the complete table of contents. Conference Sponsors and Speakers This conference was sponsored by three U.N. Agencies: IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), and the WHO (World Health Organization). All authors are leading experts in aspects of food irradiation. From the Editor's Foreword "Significant developments on the acceptance and application of food irradiation as a method to ensure food safety and quality and to facilitate food trade have occurred in recent years. Regulations on food irradiation in many countries either have been or are being harmonized based on the Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods and relevant recommendations of the International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI). The number of irradiation facilities for treating food is increasing and many more are under construction or being planned. The consumers are getting accurate information and are beginning to appreciate the benefit of irradiated foods.... The potential of irradiation as a method to ensure the hygienic quality of food, especially those of animal origin, as a quarantine treatment of fresh horticultural commodities, and as a substitute for fumigants, is being realized... The Conference reaffirmed the view that the safety and nutritional adequacy of irradiated food produced under conditions of Good Manufacturing Practice is no longer in question, regardless of the absorbed dose."

Food irradiation is increasingly used worldwide as a proven and effective method of food preservation, as well as for improvement of food safety and quality. The International Conference on Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Food through Radiation Processing convened for the presentation of new irradiation technology, and to assess the role of irradiation in ensuring the safety and nutritional adequacy of food of plant and animal origin. This new book presents the complete texts of all twenty reports from the conference. Examined are applications of the technology in produce, animal products, and prepared foods, the economics of various irradiation technologies, international regulations, the marketing of irradiated products to consumers and retail outlets, and irradiation's implications for the global trade in food and agricultural commodities. Also included is new information on the scientific, regulatory, and consumer acceptance status of food irradiation and the role this technology will play in the 21st century. The new information in this book will be useful to all those involved in the processing, preservation, and distribution of food, as well as food industry managers and regulatory personnel. To receive your copy promptly, please order now. Information on ordering follows the complete table of contents. Conference Sponsors and Speakers This conference was sponsored by three U.N. Agencies: IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), and the WHO (World Health Organization). All authors are leading experts in aspects of food irradiation. From the Editor's Foreword "Significant developments on the acceptance and application of food irradiation as a method to ensure food safety and quality and to facilitate food trade have occurred in recent years. Regulations on food irradiation in many countries either have been or are being harmonized based on the Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods and relevant recommendations of the International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI). The number of irradiation facilities for treating food is increasing and many more are under construction or being planned. The consumers are getting accurate information and are beginning to appreciate the benefit of irradiated foods.... The potential of irradiation as a method to ensure the hygienic quality of food, especially those of animal origin, as a quarantine treatment of fresh horticultural commodities, and as a substitute for fumigants, is being realized... The Conference reaffirmed the view that the safety and nutritional adequacy of irradiated food produced under conditions of Good Manufacturing Practice is no longer in question, regardless of the absorbed dose."

The benefits of food irradiation to the public health have been described extensively by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. and the World Health Organization. The American Medical Association and the American Dietetic Association have both endorsed the irradiation process. Yet the potential health benefits of irradiation are unknown to many consumers and food industry representatives who are wary of irradiated foods due to myth-information from “consumer-advocate” groups. Food Irradiation Research and Technology presents the latest scientific findings of researchers at the leading edge of food irradiation. In this book, experts from industry, government, and academia: define the basic principles of irradiation and the public health benefits of irradiation describe advances in irradiation technology, detection technology, and radiation dosimetry review the regulations pertaining to food irradiation and the toxicological safety data provide food industry representatives and public health officials with effective methodologies to educate consumers and counteract misinformation review recent advances in the irradiation of meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, seafood, and the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment Food Irradiation Research and Technology appeals to a broad readership: industry food scientists involved in the processing of meat and fish, fruits and vegetables; food microbiologists and radiation processing specialists; government and industry representatives involved in the import and export of food commodities; and industry, local, and state officials involved in educational efforts regarding food irradiation. Food scientists and technologists share a responsibility to ensure that educational materials provided to the public regarding food safety and processing technologies are based on sound science and fact, not on misconceptions. Food Irradiation Research and Technology meets that goal.

Report on a workshop on food irradiation which discussed the potential of foodirradiation; how food is irradiated; the uses of food irradiation; safety ofthe equipment and the safety and nutritional value of irradiated food;international commercial developments; assessment of the current and emergingdomestic scene; and suggestions for action.

Food preservation by irradiation is gaining recognition as a technology that is more environmentally benign than other current processes such as post-harvest chemical fumigation, it has less impact on thermally sensitive compounds than thermal decontamination technologies such as hot water or steam, and the technology is more accessible and cheaper. As the technical and economic feasibility, as well as the level of consumer acceptance, have increased its use has been growing fast. International organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have coordinated and worked with others to develop norms and review the safety and efficacy of irradiated foods. Commended in the Foreword by Carl Blackburn, Food Irradiation Specialist, Joint FAO / IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, this book makes a strong case for the use of this overwhelmingly safe food processing technique. This comprehensive book is a useful reference for food technologists, analytical chemists and food processing professionals, covering all aspects of gamma, electron beam and X-ray food irradiation, its impact on food matrices and microorganisms, legislation and market aspects. It is the first book to cover control and structural analysis in food irradiation and, being written by leading experts in the field, addresses the current global best practices. It contains updated information about the commercial application of food irradiation technology, especially regarding the type of radiation based on food classes and covers dosimetry, radiation chemistry, food decontamination, food quarantine, food processing and food sterilization.

Irradiation for Quality Improvement, Microbial Safety and Phytosanitation of Fresh Produce presents the last six and a half decades of scientific information on the topic. This book emphasizes proven advantages of ionizing irradiation over the commonly used postharvest treatments for improving postharvest life of fresh fruits and vegetables to enhance their microbial safety. This reference is intended for a wide range of scientists, researchers, and students in the fields of plant diseases and postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables. It is a means for disease control to promote food safety and quality for the food industry and can be used in food safety and agriculture courses. Discusses pathogen resistance to common chemical synthetic compounds Presents up-to-date research and benefits of phytosanitary irradiation Includes comprehensive research for alternative treatments for postharvest disease control Provides the non-residual feature of ionizing radiation as a physical means for disease control to produce chemical free foods