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August 21, 2008
FDA Announces Final Rule Amending the Food Additive Regulations to Allow for the Irradiation of Fresh Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach Constituent Update, August 21, 2008
Final Rule (73 FR 49593) August 22, 2008
Consumer Update: A Safe Measure for Safer Iceberg Lettuce and Spinach August 22, 2008
This final rule amends the food additive regulations to permit the use of irradiation (also called ionizing radiation) to treat fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach at the maximum absorbed dose of 4.0 kGy.
Today’s announcement is a partial response to a food additive petition that was filed by the National Food Processors Association (now Grocery Manufacturers’ Association or GMA) in 2000. That petition also covered the irradiation of pre-processed meat and poultry, raw and pre-processed vegetables and fruits, and other multi-ingredient products containing cooked or uncooked meat or poultry. In 2007, GMA asked FDA for a partial response on the question of the irradiation of fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach. The remainder of the petition remains under review.
The FDA has been evaluating the safety of irradiation in various foods for more than 40 years.
Yes. Irradiation is used to reduce the level of potentially dangerous microbial pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, and to extend the shelf life of foods. The FDA has assessed the safety of this use of irradiation and has concluded that it will not adversely affect the safety of these products.
No. Irradiation is voluntary.
Yes, bagged iceberg lettuce and spinach can be irradiated as long as certain conditions are met (e.g., the bagging material in which the iceberg lettuce and spinach are irradiated is approved for that use).
The FDA recommends the washing of all bagged produce prior to consumption, unless the packaging specifically states that the product has been prewashed.
Yes. Fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach that has been irradiated must bear the “radura” logo along with either the statement “Treated with radiation” or “Treated by irradiation.”
The GMA specifically requested that FDA focus on fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach in this partial response to its petition. The safety of irradiation of other types of lettuce remains under review.
Yes. The FDA also allows the use of irradiation on a variety of foods including, for example, meat and poultry, molluscan shellfish, and spices.
No. This regulation applies only to fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach.
Although this announcement only applies to fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach, other fresh produce, such as tomatoes or peppers, are included in the GMA petition and remain under review. The FDA continues to evaluate the safe use of irradiation in additional foods.