The Safety of Irradiated Food

In spite of a consensus on the benefits and safety of irradiation of foods among the community of food safety professionals, consumers continue to have concerns about issues of safety, quality, and environmental protection with regard to food irradiation.

This page has been established to answer some questions about the safety of irradiated foods.

• What is food irradiation, and how is it done?

• Why is there a need for irradiation of food?

• What kinds of irradiated food are being marketed now?

• Does irradiation make foods radioactive?

• What has been done to ensure the safety of irradiated foods?

• What do we know about the environmental impact of food irradiation operations?

• Are irradiated foods still nutritious?

What is the best way to inform myself about food irradiation?

Print Publications

The Internet

Prepared Summer 1997 by Bernadene Magnuson, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, Dept. of Food Science and Toxicology - EXTOXNET FAQ Team.