Twenty-eight groups petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to allow irradiation, which has already been approved for raw ground beef, for foods such as hot dogs and luncheon meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and juices. The Food Irradiation Coalition, which includes the National Food Processors Assn. and the American Meat Institute, said irradiation would give food processors another important tool to help make foods safer. We support its use in further enhancing the safety of our food supply.
Irradiation exposes foods to tiny amounts of electron beams or gamma rays that kill deadly bacteria.
Sara Lee Corp. Health and consumer groups have reluctantly supported irradiation as a way to protect children, the elderly and others with weak immune systems. The FDA, which has pledged to make food safety a priority, has 180 days to respond to the petition. A spokeswoman said Monday that the agency had not yet received the petition and therefore could not comment. Irradiation is used on a small portion of U.S. foods, mostly spices and some poultry products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet finalized rules that would allow irradiation of raw ground beef even though the FDA has approved it.