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Becoming Aware of Radiation Sources:
History of Food Irradiation
Food Irradiation
Food irradiation is not something new. However, it is being used more often and as a result is being more closely examined as a public health issue. Research on food irradiation began as early as 1905. Below is a chronological summary of major events in the progress and use of irradiation.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1905 | Scientists receive patents for a food preservative process that uses ionizing radiation to kill bacteria in food. |
| 1921 | U.S. patent is granted for a process to kill Trichinella spiral is in meat by using X-ray technology. |
| 1953-1980 | The U.S. government forms the National Food Irradiation Program. Under this program, the U.S. Army and the Atomic Energy Commission sponsor many research projects on food irradiation. |
| 1958 | The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended and defines sources of radiation intended for use in processing food as a new food additive. Act administered by FDA. |
| 1963 | FDA approves irradiation to control insects in wheat and flour. |
| 1964 | FDA approves irradiation to inhibit sprouting in white potatoes. |
| 1964-1968 | The U.S. Army and the Atomic Energy Commission petition FDA to approve the irradiation of several packaging materials. |
| 1966 | The U.S. Army and USDA petition FDA to approve the irradiation of ham. |
| 1971 | FDA approves the irradiation of several packaging materials based in the 1964-68 petition by the U.S. Army and the Atomic Energy Commission. |
| 1976 | The U.S. Army contracts with commercial companies to study the wholesomeness of irradiated ham, pork, and chicken. |
| 1980 | USDA inherits the U.S. Army's food irradiation program. |
| 1985 | FDA approves irradiation at specific doses to control Trichinella spiral is in pork. |
| 1986 | FDA approves irradiation at
specific doses to delay maturation, inhibit growth, and
disinfect foods, including vegetables and spices.
The Federal Meat Inspection Act is amended to permit gamma radiation to control Trichinella spiral is in fresh or previously frozen pork. Law is administered by USDA. |
| 1990 | FDA approves irradiation for poultry to control salmonella and other food-borne bacteria. |
| 1992 | USDA approves irradiation for poultry to control salmonella and other food-borne bacteria. |
| 1997 | FDA's regulations are amended to permit ionizing radiation to treat refrigerated or frozen uncooked meat, meat byproducts, and certain food products to control food-borne pathogens and to extend shelf life. |
| 2000 | USDA's regulations are amended
to allow the irradiation of refrigerated and frozen uncooked
meat, meat byproducts, and certain other meat food products
to reduce the levels of food-borne pathogens and to extend
shelf life.
FDA's regulations are amended to permit the irradiation of fresh shell eggs to control salmonella. |
