Fresh Produce Discussion Blog: Fw: Food Irradiation Update (June 2010)

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From: Ron Eustice <ron@mnbeef.org>

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:11:09 -0500

To: Ron Eustice<ron@mnbeef.org>

Subject: Food Irradiation Update (June 2010)

June 2010

Food Irradiation Update is published by the Minnesota Beef Council

Quotable Quotes:
Food safety issues have been in the news lately. Outbreaks have stimulated greater scrutiny as each incidence of illness occurs. Recently the demand to legalize the sale of raw milk universally is making us examine the debate between 'the common good' vs. 'right to personal choice.

ARS researchers have found that moderate levels of the irradiation used to reduce the level of harmful microorganisms on fresh spinach leaves either does not or slightly reduces the amount of vitamins C, E, K, folate and four caratenoids. Read more here....
USDA Press Release

India's mango export to the US and Europe are looking up for the second year in succession because of strong demand and easy availability following start of the sea route. Not only volumes are encouraging, Indian mangoes this year are also fetching higher price. Read more here....

In This Update:
Indian mangoes fetch higher price in US
Benefits of Irradiation to Agriculture Cited
Nutrient Retention of Safer Salads
Construction of irradiation facility in Ahmedabad to begin soon
Harnessing The Atom To Make A Better World
Irradiation technology to preserve food without changing nutrient value
Subway Apologizes for Salmonella Outbreak
Contaminated Lobster Recall; Listeria Suspected
Pakistani mango enters US

Important Food Safety Links:

Kansas State University

Marler Blog

Food Irradiation Processing Alliance (FIPA)

Indian mangoes fetch higher price in US; Financial Express (June 16, 2010):

NEW DELHI: India's mango export to the US and Europe are looking up for the second year in succession because of strong demand and easy availability following start of the sea route. Not only volumes are encouraging, Indian mangoes this year are also fetching higher price.

Last year, Indian mangoes were sold at around $20 per 3.5 kg, but this year already the price has touched $28 for the same quantity. Till now more than 70 tonne of the juicy Kesar and Alphonso varieties have been exported this year at good prices.

In 2009, India exported almost 250 tonne of mangoes, whereas the country has the potential to export almost 500 tonne of mangoes annually. Read more here......
Related Story:
Loads of Indian Mangoes to Satisfy US Consumers

Benefits of irradiation to agriculture cited; Manila Bulletin (June 11, 2010):

MANILA: What usually comes to mind when one hears about radiation is nuclear energy or anything that is radioactive. But few realize that radiation has numerous benefits, and agriculture is one of the areas that largely gain from it.

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology which is the sole agency of the government that advances and regulates the safe and peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in the country, identifies agriculture and natural resources as among its priority areas.

Researchers from PNRI have been developing improved crop varieties through mutation, a non-conventional method of plant breeding which uses mutational agents (mutagens) such as radiation or chemicals e.g. ethyl methyl sulfonate (EMS).
Read more here...

Nutrient Retention Of Safer Salads,Western Farm Press (June 2, 2010):

WASHINGTON,D.C.: Irradiating salad leaves after washing reduces harmful and non-harmful microorganisms. Now, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and colleagues have looked into the effect of various levels of irradiation on concentrations of four vitamins and four carotenoids in two popular baby-leaf spinach cultivars.

The study was conducted by post-harvest plant physiologist Gene Lester and entomologist Guy Hallman at the ARS Crop Quality and Fruit Insects Research Unit in Weslaco, Texas. Lester is now with the ARS Food Quality Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. For the study, two spinach cultivars were grown, harvested, sanitized, and packaged according to industry practices. Each cultivar was packaged in air or nitrogen gas as used by industry to extend shelf life. Read more here.....

Construction of irradiation facility in Ahmedabad to begin soon; Food & Beverage News; (June 1, 2010):

NEW DELHI: State-run Gujarat Agro-Industries Corporation (GAIC) on Friday said that the construction of an irradiation facility for food and agro products at Bavla, near Ahmedabad, was expected to begin in the next few months, according to a PTI report.

"The tendering processing was almost over and now the project drawings shall be prepared," said Ms Thara, managing director, Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC).

The corporation got the approval of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for setting up the irradiation facility following which bids were invited for the construction and commissioning of the Rs 12-crore plant, earlier this year. The electromagnetic waves emanating from the hi-tech machinery installed at this facility shall disinfect mangoes and make them chemical free without touch of hand, a pre-requisite for exports to the US and Europe, a GAIC official said. Read more here....

Harnessing The Atom To Make A Better World (June 2010)

(NAPSI)-Those looking for an exciting and rewarding career may consider opportunities in nuclear science and technology. Nuclear professionals can be found working in a number of settings, including government, academia, research laboratories and private industry.

For instance, nuclear engineers are engaged in areas such as nuclear medicine, nuclear energy, space exploration, agricultural and biological research, food irradiation, and archaeology and paleontology, to name a few. They also command the third-highest median income among the engineering professions--over $100,000 a year. There is a high demand for graduates of nuclear engineering programs with either B.S. or M.S. degrees . Read more here.....

Irradiation technology to preserve food without changing nutrient value; Food & Beverage News (May 15, 2010):

JAKARTA: The National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) said that the country was eyeing the use of irradiation technology to make food last several years without changing its nutrient value.

Batan claims that irradiation technology using Gamma rays kills bacteria, viruses, insects or plants contained in foods and helps delay food from going off.

Irradiation is believed to prevent organisms and micro-organisms from proliferating. Addressing the international meeting on food irradiation in Jakarta on May 10, 2010, Taswanda Taryo, deputy head of the nuclear agency, said, "We have run a string of tests, for example, on Minang cuisine rendang [beef simmered in spices and coconut milk] and fish. The irradiated rendang and fish remain fresh for a year." Read more here....
Related Stories
Indonesia to Irradiate More Foods

Subway Apologizes for Salmonella Outbreak; (June 17, 2010):

BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS: The Subway restaurant chain issued an apology Wednesday in connection with a salmonella outbreak that has affected 80 people across 26 Illinois counties.
As state health investigators continue working to pinpoint the cause of the outbreak, a Subway corporate spokesman said the company was sorry for the problems.
"We sincerely apologize to all Subway customers, those who have fallen ill, and those who now may hesitate to come back for a while," spokesman Kevin Kane noted. "We are truly sorry for the difficulty this situation has caused you, our customer, and are working diligently to solve this mystery and to regain your trust."
The Illinois Department of Public Health says people began getting sick after eating in Subway restaurants beginning May 11. Read more here.....

Contaminated Lobster Recall; Listeria Suspected; Consumer Ally (June 16, 2010):

A recall has been issued for lobster meat sold from coast-to-coast after tests showed it could be contaminated with Listeria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced.

The following brands are subject to this recall: Portland Shellfish Company, Inc., Claw island, Craig's All Natural, and Inland Ocean. Portland Shellfish distributed the knuckle and claw meat, which was sold in cooked, fresh or frozen packages. Read more here.....

Pakistani mango enters US; Dawn.com (June 15, 2010:

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani mangoes have finally gained access to the markets of the United States, and in this regard the US Federal Register will issue the notification next week; probably this is one of the best outcomes of Pak-US bilateral cooperation in agriculture. Read more here....

Food Irradiation Processors Alliance (FIPA) Website: http://www.fipa.us/

Food Irradiation Principles and Applications is an excellent source of information about food irradiation. For information go to: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471356344,descCd-tableOfContents.html

Food Irradiation; A Guide for Consumers, Policy Makers and the Media: Booklet Provides Science-based Information on Food Irradiation: This booklet produced by the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) can be downloaded from: http://www.gmabrands.com/publications/SPP_Irradiation5.pdf

Food Irradiation Research and Technology published by Institute of Food Technologies Press and Blackwell Publishing is now available. To order your copy phone (515) 292-0140 or 1-(800) 862-6657. You may order online from Blackwell Publishing at: http://www.blackwellprofessional.com/

Food Irradiation Update is being sent as an update on food irradiation by the Minnesota Beef Council. If for any reason you do not want to receive these updates please hit Reply and ask us to delete you from the list of recipients.

Ronald F. Eustice
Executive Director
Minnesota Beef Council
2950 Metro Drive # 102
Bloomington, MN 55425
USA
Phone: 952/854-6980
Fax: 952/854-6906
E-mail: ron@mnbeef.org
Website: www.mnbeef.org