FDA's approval of irradiated greens garners mixed reaction
FDA's approval of irradiated greens garners mixed reaction
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Food & Drug Administration says it is safe to irradiate spinach and fresh Iceberg lettuce, but that is just one hurdle the produce industry will need to overcome before consumers will buy these products.
FDA just approved a petition filed eight years ago by what was then the National Food Processors Association and which is now the Grocery Manufacturers Association, asking the agency to approve irradiation for a host of ready-to-eat foods including fresh Iceberg lettuce and spinach. In 2007, the food companies asked FDA to consider approving the food additive petition for leafy greens first.
Under the Aug. 22 ruling, only fresh spinach and Iceberg lettuce can be safely treated up to 4 kilogray to control for pathogens and keep longer without spoiling. Irradiated greens must bear the radura logo and the wording "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation" on the bag, said an FDA spokesperson. Bagged leafy greens that undergo irradiation must use approved packaging, he said.
"We're happy to see it," said Kathy Means, vice president of government relations for the Produce Marketing Association. "It's another tool in the food-safety tool box."
Ms. Means added that irradiated greens could be a great alternative for at- risk foodservice consumers, such as those in day care or nursing homes. However, "I wouldn't expect wholesale rollout immediately," she noted.
"Any process that reduces the risk of contamination, maintains the integrity of the product and is acceptable to consumers is worth looking at," said David Gombas, senior vice president of food safety and technology at the United Fresh Produce Association.
"As with any new technology, there would likely be a small group that tests the concept and, if it is successful, then others may follow," he said.
Ron Eustice, executive director of the Minnesota Beef Council and advocate for irradiated beef, said that there is more irradiated food available at retail today than at any time in history. "Over 11 million pounds of irradiated produce, mainly mangos from India, papayas from Hawaii, mangosteens from Thailand and guavas and boniato sweet potatoes from Florida, are marketed in the U.S.," said Mr. Eustice, referring to products already irradiated in small doses for disinfestation.
"The fact is that while we have made significant progress in reducing contamination from pathogenic bacteria, we are unable at this time to provide the consumer with the level of food safety assurance they deserve," he said. "We're never going to turn a farm field into a surgical suite," he added.
"Today's decision by FDA is a very significant step forward in helping to improve the safety of fresh produce," said Brian Kennedy, spokesperson for the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Although FDA said that irradiated greens retained their nutritional value and were safe to eat, reaction to the news was mixed.
Earthbound Farm, the company that has invested in a comprehensive food- safety program after becoming involved in the 2006 spinach-associated E. coli outbreak, said that it will not use irradiation. That technology is not allowed under National Organic Program standards.
The company has implemented "an extremely robust, multi-hurdle preventative approach to food safety that identifies and addresses potential risks all the way from ranch selection to finished product testing," said Hillary Fish, marketing associate for Earthbound Farm.
"Our program is designed to maximize product safety without utilizing protocols whose long-term effects are unknown," she said.
Vocal consumer groups, some of which adamantly oppose the technology, may answer the question of whether consumers will buy irradiated greens.
The consumer group Food & Water Wash criticized FDA for determining that irradiation is a means of making some greens safer. "Instead of beefing up its capacity to inspect food facilities or test food for contamination, all FDA has to offer consumers is an impractical, ineffective and very expensive gimmick like irradiation," said Wenonah Hauter, the group's executive director. "Very little testing has been conducted on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated vegetables."
Even members of Congress weighed in on the irradiation issue on both sides of the debate.
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) said that he wondered how many illnesses could have been prevented and how many lives could have been saved if FDA had acted earlier.
"I urge the produce industry to adopt the use of irradiation as a measure to ensure the safety of its products. I also urge FDA to take quick action and approve irradiation for use on other fresh produce and ready-to-eat foods," he said.
But another member of Congress, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who has played a major role in the food-safety debate on Capitol Hill, said that it was disappointing that FDA approved the petition before mandating other changes, such as increased inspections of produce growing and processing facilities.
FDA just approved a petition filed eight years ago by what was then the National Food Processors Association and which is now the Grocery Manufacturers Association, asking the agency to approve irradiation for a host of ready-to-eat foods including fresh Iceberg lettuce and spinach. In 2007, the food companies asked FDA to consider approving the food additive petition for leafy greens first.
Under the Aug. 22 ruling, only fresh spinach and Iceberg lettuce can be safely treated up to 4 kilogray to control for pathogens and keep longer without spoiling. Irradiated greens must bear the radura logo and the wording "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation" on the bag, said an FDA spokesperson. Bagged leafy greens that undergo irradiation must use approved packaging, he said.
"We're happy to see it," said Kathy Means, vice president of government relations for the Produce Marketing Association. "It's another tool in the food-safety tool box."
Ms. Means added that irradiated greens could be a great alternative for at- risk foodservice consumers, such as those in day care or nursing homes. However, "I wouldn't expect wholesale rollout immediately," she noted.
"Any process that reduces the risk of contamination, maintains the integrity of the product and is acceptable to consumers is worth looking at," said David Gombas, senior vice president of food safety and technology at the United Fresh Produce Association.
"As with any new technology, there would likely be a small group that tests the concept and, if it is successful, then others may follow," he said.
Ron Eustice, executive director of the Minnesota Beef Council and advocate for irradiated beef, said that there is more irradiated food available at retail today than at any time in history. "Over 11 million pounds of irradiated produce, mainly mangos from India, papayas from Hawaii, mangosteens from Thailand and guavas and boniato sweet potatoes from Florida, are marketed in the U.S.," said Mr. Eustice, referring to products already irradiated in small doses for disinfestation.
"The fact is that while we have made significant progress in reducing contamination from pathogenic bacteria, we are unable at this time to provide the consumer with the level of food safety assurance they deserve," he said. "We're never going to turn a farm field into a surgical suite," he added.
"Today's decision by FDA is a very significant step forward in helping to improve the safety of fresh produce," said Brian Kennedy, spokesperson for the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Although FDA said that irradiated greens retained their nutritional value and were safe to eat, reaction to the news was mixed.
Earthbound Farm, the company that has invested in a comprehensive food- safety program after becoming involved in the 2006 spinach-associated E. coli outbreak, said that it will not use irradiation. That technology is not allowed under National Organic Program standards.
The company has implemented "an extremely robust, multi-hurdle preventative approach to food safety that identifies and addresses potential risks all the way from ranch selection to finished product testing," said Hillary Fish, marketing associate for Earthbound Farm.
"Our program is designed to maximize product safety without utilizing protocols whose long-term effects are unknown," she said.
Vocal consumer groups, some of which adamantly oppose the technology, may answer the question of whether consumers will buy irradiated greens.
The consumer group Food & Water Wash criticized FDA for determining that irradiation is a means of making some greens safer. "Instead of beefing up its capacity to inspect food facilities or test food for contamination, all FDA has to offer consumers is an impractical, ineffective and very expensive gimmick like irradiation," said Wenonah Hauter, the group's executive director. "Very little testing has been conducted on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated vegetables."
Even members of Congress weighed in on the irradiation issue on both sides of the debate.
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) said that he wondered how many illnesses could have been prevented and how many lives could have been saved if FDA had acted earlier.
"I urge the produce industry to adopt the use of irradiation as a measure to ensure the safety of its products. I also urge FDA to take quick action and approve irradiation for use on other fresh produce and ready-to-eat foods," he said.
But another member of Congress, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who has played a major role in the food-safety debate on Capitol Hill, said that it was disappointing that FDA approved the petition before mandating other changes, such as increased inspections of produce growing and processing facilities.
