Published December 1990 | Version v1
Journal article

Food irradiation: is it just another risk, or an improvement of hygiene?

Creators

Description

The article presents a discussion between two experts in food processing, who reliably turn down one argument put forward against food irradiation, namely that the nuclear industry welcomes food irradiation as a preservation method just because they hope to thus get rid of their radioactive waste substances (to be used as radiation sources), and make a profit of it. The radiation sources used for food irradiation are electron accelerators, or Co-60, and radiation sources and irradiation methods are currently under review by EC authorities for formulation of novel EC directives concerning food irradiation for preservation. The experts interviewed for this article discuss the benefits and risks of this food preservation method, and the quality of irradiated food. (DG)

Abstract (German)

Bei der Lebensmittelbestrahlung werden Elektronenbeschleuniger und Co-60 als Strahlenquellen verwendet. Es handelt sich hierbei nicht um eine Massnahme, mittels derer die Atom-Industrie ihr Abfallproblem loesen will. Ein verstaerkter Einsatz dieser Konservierungsmethode durch neue EG-Richtlinien ist vorgesehen. Unter dieser Voraussetzung werden Nutzen, Risiko und Folgen fuer die Qualitaet der bestrahlten Lebensmittel diskutiert. (DG)

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (German)
Bestrahlte Lebensmittel: Neues Risiko oder Hygiene-Fortschritt?

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Bild der Wissenschaft
Journal Volume
27
Journal Issue
12
Series
Bild Wiss.
Journal Page Range
104-106
ISSN
0006-2375
CODEN
BIWIA

INIS

Country of Publication
Germany
Country of Input or Organization
Germany
INIS RN
22031386
Subject category
S60: APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; S61: RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY;
Descriptors DEI
HEALTH HAZARDS; IRRADIATION; PUBLIC RELATIONS; RADIOPRESERVATION; RADURIZATION
Descriptors DEC
FOOD PROCESSING; HAZARDS; PRESERVATION