Furthermore, the American Medical Association, American Dietetic Association, Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization have endorsed food irradiation. In fact, the American public already has sterilized, irradiated products in their homes in the forms of spices, plastic bandages, cotton balls and baby pacifiers. Potential for Military Use U se of non-thermally sterilized foods can offer food products of higher acceptability to soldiers because this process avoids the negative effects of processing with high heat. Food irradiation gives the Army the optimal advantage of food with better taste, texture and nutritional value that will be more readily consumed by the soldier. A nother, and perhaps greater, benefit to the Army is the potential reduction or elimination of refrigeration required to transport and store food on the battlefield.
Food irradiation eliminates the cost of separate transport for refrigerated food items.
The Army can transport irradiated food by the same means as non-perishable classes of supply. S tudies indicate that the public will accept irradiated foods once acquainted with the facts. Leading organizations that protect the general health and safety in the United States have endorsed irradiated foods. Given the facts, the 100 years of study, the pressing needs to reduce the logistical footprint on the battlefield and streamline distribution methods, the Army should actively pursue including the irradiated foods in operational rations by working with the FDA for approval. CPT Patricia M. Wrightsman, Quartermaster, is a graduate of the Combined Logistics Captains Course at Fort Lee, Virginia.