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Irradiation: A Gross Failure

Borne from the strange “Atoms for Peace” program of the 1950’s that created the nuclear-heated coffee pot, food irradiation was part of a government-led effort to put a pretty face on the nuclear industry. In recent decades, food irradiation has been promoted as the miracle cure for a food industry beset by food safety problems. However, food irradiation, where food is exposed to gamma rays, x-rays, or electron-beams to kill off bacteria, creates its own problems. Recent studies have shown that irradiating food may promote cancer development, cause genetic damage, and deplete vitamins. Simply put, irradiating food is a Band-Aid for the much larger problem of poor sanitation in slaughterhouses and processing plants, which causes food-borne illness.

Consumers, meanwhile, have shunned irradiated food, leading to its disappearance from the marketplace. Make sure it stays out of your stores and schools by taking action through our site!  Nationwide, residents have fought the presence of these risky irradiation facilities in their neighborhoods and parents have rejected irradiated food in school lunches. 

Good news!

Last summer, the grocery store chain Wegman's released a worrisome press release that trumpeted the return of irradiated ground beef to its shelves. In it, the company erroneously told consumers that irradiated beef didn't have to be cooked to 160 degrees. This contradicts USDA guidance, falsely leading consumers to believe that irradiated meat is incapable of causing disease. Food & Water Watch and Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides sent a letter to the USDA, asking the agency to correct Wegman's risky message to consumers. Agreeing with our concerns, we recently heard back from USDA, which notes they have contacted Wegman's with "concerns with the inconsistency of their press release" with USDA guidance. Hopefully, Wegman's will now correct its statements, starting by removing its press release, about irradiated beef. And maybe one of these days it will wise up to the fact that most consumers aren't too keen on irradiated beef at any temperature.