On May 29, 2003, despite thousands of comments from parents, students, and concerned citizens that overwhelmingly opposed the purchase of irradiated food for the National School Lunch Program, the USDA chose to include irradiated ground beef in federal nutrition programs.  In September 2004, irradiated ground beef was available to schools and cost 29-80 cents more per pound than non-irradiated ground beef. The choice to serve irradiated beef was left up to local school officials.

For many reasons, schools are a particularly poor place to serve irradiated food.

In the 2005-06 school year, not one state placed an order for irradiated ground beef with the USDA on behalf of its school districts. In fact, citing health concerns and other reasons, a dozen school districts, including Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Iowa City, have banned irradiated food. Keep it out of your school district by letting your local food service director know you oppose it being served in the cafeteria!