Safety of Irradiated Foods, Second Edition,


Book Description

This work examines the exaggerations, misunderstandings and muddled terminology that often characterize the controversies regarding the safety of food irradiation. It sets out to untangle the conflicting claims asserted by the proponents and opponents of this modern method of food processing. Information is drawn from international scientific and political bodies. This edition: presents results from recent studies on the wholesomeness of irradiated foods; considers practical aspects of food irradiation, regulation, control and consumer acceptance; discusses developments in the identification of irradiated foods; and more.




Nutritional and Toxicological Consequences of Food Processing


Book Description

A variety of processing methods are used to make foods edible; to pennit storage; to alter texture and flavor; to sterilize and pasteurize food; and to destroy microorganisms and other toxins. These methods include baking, broiling, cooking, freezing, frying, and roasting. Many such efforts have both beneficial and harmful effects. It is a paradox of nature that the processing of foods can improve nutrition, quality, safety, and taste, and yet occasionally lead to the formation of anti-nutritional and toxic compounds. These multifaceted consequences of food processing arise from molecular interactions among nutrients with each other and with other food ingredients. Since beneficial and adverse effects of food processing are of increasing importance to food science, nutrition, and human health, and since many of the compounds formed have been shown to be potent carcinogens and growth inhibitors in animals, I organized a symposium broadly concerned with the nutritional and toxicological consequences of food processing. The symposium was sponsored by the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN) -Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) for its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., April 1-5, 1990. Invited speakers were asked to develop at least one of the following topics: 1. Nutrient-nonnutrient interactions between amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, vitamins, tannins, fiber, natural toxicants, etc. 2. Effects of radiation. 3. Thermally induced formation of dietary mutagens, antimutagens, carcinogens, anticarcinogens, antioxidants, and growth inhibitors. 4. Effects of pH on nutritional value and safety.







Ensuring Safe Food


Book Description

How safe is our food supply? Each year the media report what appears to be growing concern related to illness caused by the food consumed by Americans. These food borne illnesses are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, and food additives. Recent actions taken at the federal, state, and local levels in response to the increase in reported incidences of food borne illnesses point to the need to evaluate the food safety system in the United States. This book assesses the effectiveness of the current food safety system and provides recommendations on changes needed to ensure an effective science-based food safety system. Ensuring Safe Food discusses such important issues as: What are the primary hazards associated with the food supply? What gaps exist in the current system for ensuring a safe food supply? What effects do trends in food consumption have on food safety? What is the impact of food preparation and handling practices in the home, in food services, or in production operations on the risk of food borne illnesses? What organizational changes in responsibility or oversight could be made to increase the effectiveness of the food safety system in the United States? Current concerns associated with microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards in the food supply are discussed. The book also considers how changes in technology and food processing might introduce new risks. Recommendations are made on steps for developing a coordinated, unified system for food safety. The book also highlights areas that need additional study. Ensuring Safe Food will be important for policymakers, food trade professionals, food producers, food processors, food researchers, public health professionals, and consumers.




Food Irradiation


Book Description

Bestrahlung von Lebensmitteln - dieser Band beschreibt Wirkungen, Anwendungsgebiete und Grenzen. International renommierte Fachleute konzentrieren sich in ihren Beiträgen auf wissenschaftliche und technologische Details, weniger auf die Streitfrage, ob Lebensmittel überhaupt bestrahlt werden sollten. Die Diskussion ist eingebettet in die Bestimmungen des Kontrollsystems HACCP, das in der fleisch- und fischverarbeitenden Industrie der USA und Europas mittlerweile Pflicht ist.




Food Irradiation Technologies


Book Description

Food preservation by irradiation is gaining recognition as a technology that is more environmentally benign than other current processes such as post-harvest chemical fumigation, it has less impact on thermally sensitive compounds than thermal decontamination technologies such as hot water or steam, and the technology is more accessible and cheaper. As the technical and economic feasibility, as well as the level of consumer acceptance, have increased its use has been growing fast. International organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have coordinated and worked with others to develop norms and review the safety and efficacy of irradiated foods. Commended in the Foreword by Carl Blackburn, Food Irradiation Specialist, Joint FAO / IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, this book makes a strong case for the use of this overwhelmingly safe food processing technique. This comprehensive book is a useful reference for food technologists, analytical chemists and food processing professionals, covering all aspects of gamma, electron beam and X-ray food irradiation, its impact on food matrices and microorganisms, legislation and market aspects. It is the first book to cover control and structural analysis in food irradiation and, being written by leading experts in the field, addresses the current global best practices. It contains updated information about the commercial application of food irradiation technology, especially regarding the type of radiation based on food classes and covers dosimetry, radiation chemistry, food decontamination, food quarantine, food processing and food sterilization.




Irradiation for Quality Improvement, Microbial Safety and Phytosanitation of Fresh Produce


Book Description

Irradiation for Quality Improvement, Microbial Safety and Phytosanitation of Fresh Produce presents the last six and a half decades of scientific information on the topic. This book emphasizes proven advantages of ionizing irradiation over the commonly used postharvest treatments for improving postharvest life of fresh fruits and vegetables to enhance their microbial safety. This reference is intended for a wide range of scientists, researchers, and students in the fields of plant diseases and postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables. It is a means for disease control to promote food safety and quality for the food industry and can be used in food safety and agriculture courses. - Discusses pathogen resistance to common chemical synthetic compounds - Presents up-to-date research and benefits of phytosanitary irradiation - Includes comprehensive research for alternative treatments for postharvest disease control - Provides the non-residual feature of ionizing radiation as a physical means for disease control to produce chemical free foods




Irradiation of Food and Packaging


Book Description

This book presents extensive coverage of irradiated foods and food products contaminated with food borne pathogens, and the effects on irradiation and packaging materials and additives. It also shows the effects ionizing radiation has on improved functional components in fresh fruits and vegetables.




Electromagnetic Technologies in Food Science


Book Description

A comprehensive source of in-depth information provided on existing and emerging food technologies based on the electromagnetic spectrum Electromagnetic Technologies in Food Science examines various methods employed in food applications that are based on the entire electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. Focusing on recent advances and challenges in food science and technology, this is an up-to-date volume that features vital contributions coming from an international panel of experts who have shared both fundamental and advanced knowledge of information on the dosimetry methods, and on potential applications of gamma irradiation, electron beams, X-rays, radio and microwaves, ultraviolet, visible, pulsed light, and more. Organized into four parts, the text begins with an accessible overview of the physics of the electromagnetic spectrum, followed by discussion on the application of the EM spectrum to non-thermal food processing. The physics of infrared radiation, microwaves, and other advanced heating methods are then deliberated in detail—supported by case studies and examples that illustrate a range of both current and potential applications of EM-based methods. The concluding section of the book describes analytical techniques adopted for quality control, such as hyperspectral imaging, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. This authoritative book resource: Covers advanced theoretical knowledge and practical applications on the use of EM spectrum as novel methods in food processing technology Discusses the latest progress in developing quality control methods, thus enabling the control of continuous fast-speed processes Explores future challenges and benefits of employing electromagnetic spectrum in food technology applications Addresses emerging processing technologies related to improving safety, preservation, and overall quality of various food commodities Electromagnetic Technologies in Food Science is an essential reading material for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, academics, and agri-food professionals working in the area of food preservation, novel food processing techniques and sustainable food production.




Food Irradiation Research and Technology


Book Description

The benefits of food irradiation to the public health have been described extensively by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. and the World Health Organization. The American Medical Association and the American Dietetic Association have both endorsed the irradiation process. Yet the potential health benefits of irradiation are unknown to many consumers and food industry representatives who are wary of irradiated foods due to myth-information from “consumer-advocate” groups. Food Irradiation Research and Technology presents the latest scientific findings of researchers at the leading edge of food irradiation. In this book, experts from industry, government, and academia: define the basic principles of irradiation and the public health benefits of irradiation describe advances in irradiation technology, detection technology, and radiation dosimetry review the regulations pertaining to food irradiation and the toxicological safety data provide food industry representatives and public health officials with effective methodologies to educate consumers and counteract misinformation review recent advances in the irradiation of meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, seafood, and the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment Food Irradiation Research and Technology appeals to a broad readership: industry food scientists involved in the processing of meat and fish, fruits and vegetables; food microbiologists and radiation processing specialists; government and industry representatives involved in the import and export of food commodities; and industry, local, and state officials involved in educational efforts regarding food irradiation. Food scientists and technologists share a responsibility to ensure that educational materials provided to the public regarding food safety and processing technologies are based on sound science and fact, not on misconceptions. Food Irradiation Research and Technology meets that goal.