US media encourages use of irradiation
irradiation in the light of recent recalls of beef products,
according to a Primedia News report.
Three national US newspapers have made calls to expand the use of irradiation in light of recent recalls of beef products, according to a Primedia News report.
The coverage will come as good news to two of America's leading exponents of food irradiation, Surebeam and Food Technology services, who have been struggling to increase their turnovers and make healthy profits.
USA Today, the Tampa Tribune and the Wall Street Journal joined a growing chorus calling for irradiation of the ground beef supply as a surefire method to eliminate E. coli 0157:H7 contamination.
The USA Today editorial criticised efforts by anti-irradiation activists to blunt the widespread use of irradiation, saying: "Expanded irradiation could prevent dozens of deaths and thousands of illnesses every year. Unfounded fears shouldn't stand in the way of giving consumers a burger they can bite into with confidence."
The editorials come on the heels of ConAgra's recall of 19 million pounds of ground beef, the second largest in US history. Taken together, the editorials are a strong indication that the widespread application of irradiation will become a reality in the US.
