Problem
Health hazards of irradiated food
Other Names:
Hazards of using irradiation as a method of food preservation Nature:
Irradiating food to prolong its shelf-life may have adverse effect on human health. Flavour, texture, and colour are changed. Vitamins A, C, E, and especially B are damaged by irradiation, rendering valuable foodstuffs useless. Genetic and reproductive irregularities have been observed in association with the consumption of irradiated food. Cancer-causing chemicals known as aflatoxins, created by fungi and occurring naturally in some foods, are produced more abundantly in irradiated food than is normal. The irradiation process itself produces in foods the chemicals called radiolytic products. Micro-organisms in the food may mutate into radiant-resistant strains. Spoiled irradiated meat does not smell putrid, thus eliminating a common warning signal for consumers.
Food may be irradiated twice further exacerbating these effects. For example, potatoes may be irradiated to prevent sprouting and thus prolong storage life, and then used in a prepared meal which is irradiated after packaging.
Broader Problems:
Food pollutionHealth hazards from food and drinkUncontrolled environmental impact of technologyEnvironmental hazards of non-ionizing radiationIrresponsible practices in the food processing industry Related Problems:
Unsafe artificial sweeteners Aggravates:
DermatitisAntipathy Reduces:
Prepared food spoilage in storage References:
United Nations: Aspects of the Introduction of Food Irradiation in Developing CountriesUnited Nations: International Acceptance of Irradiated Food: legal aspectsFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Wholesomeness of Irradiated Food: report of the joint FAO / WHO Expert Committee, Geneva, 1976 Subject(s):
Amenities → FoodConservation → Conservation
Fundamental Sciences → Radiation
Health Care → Health
Societal Problems → Hazards
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST