Throughout human history, we have used technology to improve the quality, safety and nutritional value of our food. Irradiation is simply the latest chapter in that long history.
Irradiation kills bacteria and parasites that can cause disease in humans.
It also kills organisms that cause food to spoil. Because irradiation retards spoilage, irradiated food will be fresher, more palatable and more nutritious when it reaches the consumer. The organisms that cause spoilage can also reduce the nutrient value of food. HUS is a severe, potentially life-threatening complication of E. coli infection, primarily affecting very young children. People with HUS typically require hospitalization in an intensive care unit and hemodialysis treatment, and the illness can cause permanent kidney damage.