Advances in the development of straightforward rapid tests for irradiated food

Straightforward rapid tests offer advantages in the screening of food for radiation treatment. Samples of food suspected of having been irradiated may then be investigated further using more sophisticated methods for an exact classification. The described method of multiple gas measurements in frozen food poses absolutely no problems and may give an indication of radiation treatment within a few minutes. Single cell gel electrophoresis is another suitable method of screening, in which preliminary results disproving or suggesting irradiation are obtained within a few hours. By rendering the detection of irradiation so much easier, those two methods have also helped to reassure the consuming public that food can be reliably monitored for previous radiation treatment. (orig./vhe)