The Hudson Foods hamburger recall may be just what it takes to convince Americans that it's time to accept irradiation as another technique to safeguard their food supply, two Purdue experts say. Irradiation is little used and a lot misunderstood, but it can destroy the microorganisms responsible for food-borne illnesses and extend the shelf life of perishable foods. It is an FDA-regulated food preservation method using gamma radiation. It's currently used on foods such as spices, pork, poultry, and some fruits and vegetables. The FDA is considering approval for red meats.
Research shows irradiation poses no concern to consumers.
Irradiation is one more safety precaution. It also might have avoided the Hudson Foods recall of 25 million pounds of red meat, including hamburger patties, that may have been contaminated with E. coli , a microorganism that can cause illness and even death in those who consume it. College graduates with a gift for numbers and a degree in mathematics are finding employment in some very high-profile fields. They are the people who design and analyze numerical codes used to transmit classified or sensitive information. It's a very exciting area of work.