Unless it comes from Omaha Steaks, irradiated beef isn't likely showing up at dinner tables in the Sacramento region. Officials of several major markets in the area, including Albertson's, Safeway, Nugget, Raley's, Costco and Ralph's, said they aren't stocking irradiated meats and don't expect to in the near future. While consumers are concerned about the safety of their food, they aren't expressing much interest in irradiated beef, and until they do, no local market is likely to make it available, indicated several grocery-store representatives. The West Coast is a tough market.
People are very much into being natural.
I see them hanging it out in a more beef-friendly area. Jeff Lyons, vice president of fresh foods for Costco, based in Issaquah, Wash., said a consumer survey by the chain last year found that 76 percent of their customers wouldn't buy irradiated meats. We aren't confident irradiation does enough. We're evaluating a number of different food-safety initiatives.