The current Codex standard, which requires prominent labeling of irradiated food and irradiated ingredients of food, helps protect consumer health and promotes fair trade practices.
Irradiation can affect the nutritional value of foods.
For example, irradiated foods may lose significant amounts of some vitamins, such as thiamin. Irradiation can also affect the taste of certain foods, such as beef and chicken, by creating off-flavors. Therefore, the prominent disclosure of the fact that a product or an ingredient has been irradiated is essential. The current standard ensures that consumers are provided with information that allows them to make informed purchasing decisions and exercise free choice in the marketplace.