Irradiation - the current situation:
There is real reason to be concerned about the expansion of irradiation approvals, particularly in food not directed at the retail market. Existing labelling regulations are inadequate. For the most part, non-packaged irradiated products do not require individual labelling, making it potentially difficult even for suppliers to know if a product has been irradiated. Free trade agreements, with the
There are also many rumours going around about the extent of irradiation in
An Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) spokesperson has told us that currently "food" is rarely irradiated, while medicinal herbs frequently are, especially those coming from
What is wrong with food irradiation?
People are going irradiation free for many reasons. These include the health risks associated with irradiation, the social and environmental impact of the irradiation industry, the fact that numerous alternatives exist, and the ethical and political long-term consequences of supporting both the nuclear and non-nuclear food irradiation industries.
Heath risks associated with irradiation.
Numerous scientific reports have highlighted health risks associated with irradiation. Irradiation changes the molecular structure of food, forming toxic chemicals linked to genetic mutations, vitamin deficiency, immune system disorders, tumors, stunted growth and reproduction problems.
For example:
Ionising radiation disrupts the chemical composition of food. New chemicals called "radiolytic products' are formed, some of which do not occur naturally in food. These have not been adequately studied. One of them, 2-ACBs, has recently be found to promote the cancer-development process in rats, cause genetic damage in rats and cause genetic and cellular damage in human rat cells. (1)
Irradiation destroys and disrupts vitamins, proteins, essential fatty acids and other nutrients in food - sometimes significantly. It can destroy up to 80 percent of vitamin A in eggs and 48 percent of beta carotene in orange juice. (2)
Irradiation masks poor production practices, which cause food to be contaminated with food-borne pathogens. Irradiation can kill most bacteria in food, but it does not remove the feces, urine, pus and vomit that often contaminate beef, pork, chicken and other meat, nor can it remove pests, faeces, live plant products, or unidentified matter that may contaminate herbs, spices, or fruit and vegetables.
Free radical overload in irradiated foods can lead to: Lowered immune resistance, upsurge in abnormal lymph cell, decreased fertility, damage to kidneys, depressed growth rates, and deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, E and K. (3)
References:
(1) (2) Public Citizen The Top Ten Problems with Irradiated Food and Questioning Food Irradiation with complete scientific references. Available from: http://www.citizen.org/documents/questioningirradiation.pdf
(3)Julius, Heiman for Friends of the Earth - Fact Sheet "Is daily use of irradiated food safe?",1999. Available on: http://www.foodirradiationinfo.org
Social and Environmental Impact of Irradiation Industry.
Food irradiation is another tool to increase the corporate control and monopoly of the world's food supply, thus exacerbating the already unsustainable global food and agriculture trading system that prioritises profits over people.
Irradiation encourages monoculture and the further expansion of cash crops at the expense of a country's food security, biodiversity and the livelihoods of small farmers and other small producers. Irradiation allows large corporations to sterilise a cheaply produced end product, rather than investing in sustainable and equitable working conditions where the ingredients are produced.
Food irradiation also puts at risk the health and safety of unsuspecting consumers. It sacrifices ecological sustainability by encouraging mass production that is dependent on increased chemical pesticide use.
Irradiation not only threatens regions with the hazards associated with the nuclear industry, but threatens the viability of Australian horticulture and agriculture. Its acceptance as a dominant trade protocol will see the end of trade in certified organic products and may lead to the importation of cheaply and poorly produced products.
Numerous alternatives exist.
Irradiation is unnecessary because well-produced, wholesome food does not need to be sterilised. Numerous safer alternatives exist for pest disinfestation, microbial control, sterilisation and shelf-life extension.
While treatments may vary according to the type of food and desired outcome, some of the technologies currently in use include:
- Early harvesting
- Organic production
- Cold storage
- Cold treatment
- Heat/steam, vapour treatment
- Hot water dips
- Autoclaving
- Atmospheric control with oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen
- Physical disinfestation, i.e. cleaning, washing
- Hygienic and safe production practices
- Pest exclusion zones
Ethics and politics of supporting the irradiation industry.
Food Irradiation was developed as part of the "Atoms for Peace" program and is still heavily pushed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) whose mandate is to promote the "peaceful" uses of nuclear energy. It must be noted that both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) work closely with the IAEA when doing their research on food and agricultural production.
Irradiation facilities worldwide use radioactive waste (Caesium 137) or nuclear by-products (Cobalt 60 rods) transported long distances, increasing the risk of radioactive accidents that would damage the local ecosystem and threaten public health. In Australia and New Zealand, all commercial irradiation facilities are nuclear facilities using gamma radiation from Cobalt 60.
Irradiation facilities have a record of leaks, accidents or incidents that threaten local ecosystems and water supplies, workers and communities.
From uranium mining to nuclear irradiation, the nuclear industry creates waste that is radioactive for thousands of years. While often desecrating and contaminating sacred indigenous land, the radioactive legacy leaves soaring cancer, leukemia and birth defect rates wherever nuclear waste dumping or accidents have taken place or uranium weapons have been used. The nuclear cycle is neither sustainable nor clean.
Mines, reactors and irradiation facilities are often pushed on unwilling communities, violating democratic principles and indigenous land rights.
Food irradiation is an attempt to legitimise or popularise the nuclear industry whose ultimate priority is the manufacture or upgrading of nuclear weapons.
Other sources of irradiation also pose a serious threat.
Radiation from non-nuclear irradiation, such as electron beams or x-rays, can be equally, or in some cases potentially more, harmful to food.
Irradiation from other sources still poses an unnecessary radiation risk to workers.
Non-nuclear irradiation technology using electron beams or x-ray, was developed out of military technology. Until recently it was heavily promoted, even in Australia, by Surebeam (now bankrupt) a subsidiary to US weapons contractor, Titan.
Why we need an "Irradiation Free Food Guide"
The community has long opposed food irradiation. For example, in the final round of public consultation on the irradiation of tropical fruit in 2002, there were 675 submissions opposed and 16 in favour. (4) Yet current labelling regulations make it difficult for consumers to make an informed choice.
The "Irradiation Free Food Guide" will provide that choice, giving consumers the option to say "no" to irradiated products. It will be based on company policy, not simply current practice, allowing consumers to know which companies are really committed to being irradiation free.
The "Irradiation Free Food Guide" will help producers and consumers alike send out a clear message that Australians will not stomach irradiated food on their tables.
For more information about food irradiation or the "Irradiation Free Food Guide", contact Food Irradiation Watch on: 0411 118 737, by email: foodirradiationwatch@yahoo.com.au or visit: www.foodirradiationinfo.org