Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Irradiation of Food, Current Legislation Framework, and Detection of Irradiated Foods

  • Published:
Food Analytical Methods Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The review covers description of food irradiation process, the current status of global legislation background in the field of irradiated foodstuffs, and the state of detection methods up-to-date available based on physical, chemical, biological, and microbiological changes in irradiated foods. Special emphasis was put on European Standards for the detection of irradiated foods adopted by the European Committee for Standardization, CEN (known as CEN Standards). These standards concerning the correct application of different techniques for the identification of various kinds of food and food ingredients treated with ionizing radiation have been accepted by Codex Alimentarius as Codex Standards. Analytical methods are necessary to control irradiated food products, therefore making enforcement of accurate labeling regulations. Labeling will enhance consumer confidence by providing assurance of the consumer’s right to choose. In addition, the knowledge of radiation-induced physicochemical changes in foodstuffs provides scientific basis for the wholesomeness estimation of irradiated foods. The technology of food irradiation is a valuable means for ensuring microbiological food safety, therefore extending the shelf-life of a wide range of foods and reducing losses from spoiling and pests. Decreasing losses is particularly essential from the global distribution and food storage point of view. Food irradiation is applicable to fresh, dried or frozen foods with the purpose of antimicrobial treatments for spices, herbs, and dried vegetable seasonings, insect disinfestations, and control of pathogenic bacteria in poultry meat, red meat, shell eggs, seafood, and sprouting of tubers and bulbs like potatoes and onions. However, the utility of the technology of food irradiation remains still controversial because of negative public and industry perception of “nuclear technology” and the wholesomeness of irradiated foods. For that reason, this review is intended to provide proper scientific information on the safety, advantages, and limitations of food irradiation compared to the existing conventional food processing techniques, legal backgrounds, including labeling regulations for identifying irradiated foods based on the detection methods. Scientifically documented information could increase the level of education and acceptance of irradiated foodstuffs by consumers, food processors, and government agencies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods (1986) Report on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated food. HMSO, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Bachir M (2004) J Stored Prod Res 40:355

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Bachir M, Zeinou R (2006) J Food Saf 26:348

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez I, Niemira BA, Fan X, Sommers CH (2006) J Food Prot 69:2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Arvanitoyannis IS, Choreftaki S, Tserkezou P (2005) Int J Food Sci Technol 40:1021

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arvanitoyannis IS, Tserkezou P, Varzakas T (2006) Int J Food Sci Technol 41:130

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arvanitoyannis I, Stratakos A, Mente E (2009a) Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 49:68

    Google Scholar 

  • Arvanitoyannis IS, Stratakos ACh, Tsarouhas P (2009b) Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 49:427

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashley BC, Birchfield PT, Chamberlain BV, Kotwal RS, McClellan SF, Moynihan S, Patni SB, Salmon SA, Au WW (2004) Int J Hyg Environ Health 207:1

    Google Scholar 

  • Au W (2002a) Int J Hyg Environ Health 205:1

    Google Scholar 

  • Au W (2002) Opinion on the Expert Affidavit on Safety Issues of Irradiated Food for School Children. Sworn by Dr. William Au, Dec. 10

  • Badr HM (2004) Meat Sci 67:541

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagorogoza K, Bowers M (2001) J Food Sci 66:367

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bayram G, Delincee H (2004) Food Control 15:81

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharjee P, Singhal R, Gholap A, Variyar P, Bongiwar D (2003) Food Chem 80:151

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borsa J, Lacroix M, Quattara B, Chiasson F (2004) Rad Phys Chem 71:137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bortolin E, Boniglia C, Calicchia A, Alberti A, Fuochi P, Onori S (2007) Int J Food Sci Technol 42:330

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd DR, Crone AVJ, Hamilton JTG, Hand MV, Stevenson MH, Stevenson PJ (1991) J Agric Food Chem 39:789

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brewer MS (2009) Meat Sci 81:1

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruhn CM (2001) In: Loaharanu P, Thomas P (eds) Irradiation for food safety and quality. Technomic, Lancaster, pp 169–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruhn CM, Schutz HG (1989) Food Technol 43:93

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnouf D, Delincée H, Hartwig A, Marchioni E, Miesh M, Werner D (2002) Toxikologische Untersuchung zur Risikobewertung beim Verzehr von bestrahllten fetthaltigen Lebensmitteln. Eine französisch-deutsche Studie im Grenzraum Oberrhein. Rapport final/Schlussbericht INTERREG II.Projet / Projekt No. 3.171. In: Marchioni E, Delincée H (eds) Berichte der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Ernährung, Karlsruhe, BFE-R-02-02, pp 1–198

  • Cabeza MC, Cambero I, de la Hoz L, Ordóñez JA (2008) Meat Sci 80:903

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabo Verde S, Tenreiro R, Botelho ML (2004) Radiat Phys Chem 71:29

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherian G, Goeger MP, Ahn DU (2002) Poult Sci 81:1571

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Codex Alimentarius (1991) General standard for the labelling of prepackaged foods. CODEX STAN 002, Rev.1-1991

  • Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods (2003) STAN 106-1983, Rev. 1-2003

  • Crone AVJ, Hamilton JTG, Stevenson MH (1992) Int J Food Sci Technol 27:691

    Google Scholar 

  • Deeley C (2002) Food Sci Technol 16:52

    Google Scholar 

  • Deely CM, Gao M, Hunter R, Ehlermann DAE (2006) The development of food irradiation to-date in Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Africa. Tutorial presented to the International Meeting on Radiation Processing (INMRP), Kuala Lumpur. http://www.doubleia.org/index.php?sectionid=43&parentid=13&contentid=494

  • Delincee H (1991) IAEA-TECDOC-587. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • Delincée H (2003) Opinion on the Expert Affidavit on Safety issues of Irradiated Food for School Children sworn by Dr. William Au with date of December 10, 2002 (opinion expressed on April 02, 2003) available at http://www.mnbeef.org/opinion_on_the_expert_affidavit_.htm

  • Delincée H (2007) Letter from Dr. Henry Delincée regarding misrepresentation of research by David Henkin of Earth Justice in the Pa’ina Hawaii proceedings via FSNET (February 13). Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany

  • Delincée H, Pool-Zobel BL (1998) Radiat Phys Chem 52:39

    Google Scholar 

  • Delincée H, Pool-Zobel BL, Rechkemmer G (1998) Genotoxicity of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone. In: Knörr M, Ehlermann DAE, Delincée H (eds) Lebensmittelbestrahlung—5. Deutsche Tagung [Food Irradiation—5. German Conference]. BFE, Karlsruhe, 11–13 Nov. Berichte der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Ernährung, Karlsruhe, BFE-R-99-01, pp 262–269 (1999)

  • Delincée H, Soika C, Horvatovich P, Rechkemmer G, Marchioni E (2002) Radiat Phys Chem 63:431

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl JF (1992) Food Addit Contam 9:409

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diehl JF (1995) Safety of irradiated foods, 2nd edn. Marcel Dekker, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl JF (2001) Achievements in food irradiation during the 20th century. In: Loaharanu P, Thomas P (eds) Irradiation for food safety and quality. Technomic, Lancaster, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl JF, Hasselmann C, Kilcast D (1991) Food Control 2:212

    Google Scholar 

  • Directive1999/2/EC (1999) Official Journal of the European Communities, L66/16 (13.3.1999)

  • Directive1999/3/EC (1999) Official Journal of the European Communities, L66/24 (13.3.1999)

  • Duong DQ, Grandall PG, Pohlman FW, O’Bryan CA, Balentine CW, Castillo A (2008) Meat Sci 78:359

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dvořák P, Kunová J, Straková E, Suchý P, Kunová V (2005) Eur Food Res Technol 221:1438

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2002) Statement of the Scientific Committee on Food on a Report on 2-alkylcyclobutanone (expressed on 3 July), SCF/CS/NF/IRR/26 ADD 3 Final

  • European Commission (2003) Revision of the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the irradiation of food. Scientific Committee on Food, Health, and Consumer Protection Directorate-General, European Commission, SCF/CS/NF/IRR/24/Final, 24 April

  • Farkas J (1998) Int J Food Microbiol 44:189

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farkas J (2006) Trends Food Sci Technol 17:148

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FDA (1986) Irradiation in the production, processing and handling of food. Final rule, Fed. Reg., 51:13376-13399. This is initial and general (later amendments on various details have been published in Fed Reg)

  • FDA (1990) Irradiation in the production, processing and handling of food: labeling. Food and Drug Administration Fed Regist 55(5):646

    Google Scholar 

  • FDA (2000) Fed Reg 65 (141): 45280

  • FDA (1999) Fed Reg 64: 7834

  • FDA (2007) Fed Reg 72: 16292

  • Fengmei L, Yongbao G, Dianhua C (2000) Radiat Phys Chem 57:341

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisk ID, Gkatzionis K, Lad M, Dodd CER, Gray DA (2009) Eur Food Res Technol 228:613

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Food and Drug Amendments (2002) Proposal Project No. 1094 (Food Irradiation) Canada Gazette, November 13, 2002

  • Food Production and Inspection Branch (1989) Agriculture Canada

  • Fox JB, Lakritz L, Thayer WD (1993) Int J Radiat Biol 64:305

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frenzen PD, Majchrowicz A, Buzby JC, Imhoff B, FoodNet Working Group (2001) J Food Prot 64:2020

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadgil P, Smith JS (2006) J Agric Food Chem 54:4896

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadgil P, Hachmeister KA, Smith JS, Kropf DH (2002) J Agric Food Chem 50:5746

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gezgin Z, Gunes G (2007) Int J Food Sci Technol 42:1067

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gölge E, Ova G (2008) Radiat Phys Chem 77:365

    Google Scholar 

  • Gyawali R, Hye-Young S, Hyun-Ju L, Hyun-Pa S, Dong-Ho K, Myung-Woo B, Kyong-Su K (2006) Radiat Phys Chem 75:322

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartwig A, Pelzer A, Burnouf D, Titéca H, Delincée H, Briviba K, Soika C, Hodapp C, Raul F, Miesch M, Werner D, Horvatovich P, Marchioni E (2007) Food Chem Toxicol 45:2581

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horvatovich P, Miesch M, Hasselmann C, Marchioni E (2000) J Chromatogr 897:259

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horvatovich P, Raul F, Miesch M, Burnouf D, Delincée H, Hartwig A, Werner D, Marchioni E (2002a) J Food Prot 65:1610

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horvatovich P, Miesch M, Hasselmann C, Marchioni E (2002b) J Chromatogr A 968:251

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houser TA, Sebranek JG, Lonergan SM (2003) J Food Sci 68:2362

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang S, Herald TJ, Mueller DD (1997) Poult Sci 76:1607

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (1982) Training manual on food irradiation technology and techniques, 2nd edn. IAEA, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • ICGFI (1995) Review of data on high dose (10–70 kGy) irradiation of food. Report of a Consultation, Karlsruhe, 29 August–2 September 1994. Food Safety Unit, WHO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • International Atomic Energy Agency (2000) Facts about food irradiation. Available at http://www.iaea.org/worldatom/inforesource/other/food/q&a.html. Accessed May 12

  • Guidelines on the Food (Control of Irradiated) Regulations (1991) HMSO, London

  • Jae JM (1991) Modern food microbiology, 4th edn. Chapman and Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Javanmard M, Rokni N, Bokai S, Shahhosseini G (2006) Food Control 17:469

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson AM, Reynolds AE, Chen J, Resurreccion AVA (2004) Food Processing Preservation 28:302

    Google Scholar 

  • Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (2002) Statement of the WHO representative to the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants, ALINORM 03/12, para 79, Rome

  • Joint FAO/WHO/IAEA Expert Committee (1981) Wholesomeness of irradiated food. Report no. 649. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland

  • Josephson ES, Thomas MH, Calhoun WK (1979) J Food Process Pres 2:299

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim M-J, Lee J-W, Yook H-S, Lee S-Y, Kim M-C, Byun M-W (2002) J Food Prot 65:1192

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JK, Jo C, Hwang HJ, Park HJ, Kim YJ, Byun MW (2006) Radiat Phys Chem 75:449

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knoll N, Weise A, Claussen U, Sendt W, Marian B, Glei M, Pool-Zobel BL (2006) Mutat Res 594(1–2):10–19

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraybill HF (1958) J Home Econ 50:695

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraybill HF (1982) In: Rechcigi J (ed) CRC handbook of nutritional value of processed food, vol 1. CRC, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Kume T, Furuta M, Todoriki S, Uenoyama N, Kobayashi Y (2009) Radiat Phys Chem 78:222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon J-H, Kwon Y, Nam K-C, Lee EJ, Ahn DU (2008) Meat Sci 80:903

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lakritz L, Thayer WD (1994) Meat Sci 37:439

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lalas S, Gortzi O, Tsaknis J, Sflomos K (2007) Int J Mol Sci 8:533

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lampart-Szczapa E, Korczak J, Nogala-Kalucka M, Zawirska-Wojtasiak R (2003) Food Chem 83:279

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee PR (1994) J Am Med Assoc 272(4):261

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J-W, Lee K-Y, Yook H-S, Lee S-Y, Kim H-Y, Jo C, Byun M-W (2002) J Food Prot 65:1196

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee W, Kim JK, Srinivasan P, Choi J-I, Kim JH, Han SB, Kim D-J, Byun MW (2009) LWT–Food Sci Technol 42:101

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LeTellier PR, Nawar WW (1972) Lipids 7:75

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XD, Han RX, Yun H, Jung KC, Jin DI, Lee BD, Min TS, Jo C (2009) Poult Sci 88:2435

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loaharanu P (2007) In: Kava R (ed) Irradiated foods, 6th edn. American Council on Science and Health, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatra K, Muthukumarappan K, Julson JL (2005) Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 45:140

    Google Scholar 

  • Maity JP, Chakraborty A, Saha A, Santra SC, Chanda S (2004) Radiat Phys Chem 71:1065

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour Y, Al-Bachir M (1995) J Appl Entomol 119:631

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchioni E, Burnouf D, Delincée H, Hartwig A, Miesh M, Werner D (2002) Information about the potential toxicity of 2-alkylcyclobutanones, a group of substances exclusively formed upon irradiation of food containing fat. Available at www.iaea.org/programmes/rifa/icgfi/documents/summary-press.pdf

  • Mbarki R, Sadok S, Barkallah I (2008) Food Sci Technol Int 14(4):367

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mbarki R, Nahdi H, Barkallah I, Sadok S (2009) Int J Food Sci Technol 44:1229

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMurray CH, Stewart EM, Gray R, Pearce J (eds) (1996) Detection methods for irradiated foods—current status. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Mészáros L, Horti K, Farkas J (2006) Acta Aliment 35:1588

    Google Scholar 

  • Mexis SF, Kontominis MG (2009) Eur Food Res Technol 228:823

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Min BR, Nam KC, Ko GY, Trampel DW, Ahn DU (2005) Poult Sci 84:1791

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molins RA (ed) (2001) Food irradiation: principles and applications. Wiley-InterScience, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Murano PS, Murano EA, Olson DG (1998) J Food Sci 63:548

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murray TK (1983) In: Elias PS, Cohen AJ (eds) Recent advances in food irradiation. Elsevier Biomedical, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Naik GN, Paul P, Chawla SP, Sherikar AT, Nair PM (1993) J Food Saf 13:177

    Google Scholar 

  • Nam KC, Ahn DU (2002) J Food Sci 67:600

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nam KC, Min BR, Lee SC, Cordray J, Ahn DU (2004) J Food Sci 69:214

    Google Scholar 

  • Navaiz P, Lescapo G, Kairiyama E (1992) Food Sci Technol 25:232

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayga RM Jr, Poghosyan A, Nichols J (2004) Int J Consumer Studies 28:178

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Bryan CA, Crandall PG, Ricke SC, Olson DG (2008) Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 48:442

    Google Scholar 

  • Obana H, Furuta M, Tanaka Y (2005) J Agric Food Chem 53:6603

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Obana H, Furuta M, Tanaka Y (2006) J Health Sci 52:375

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Official Journal of the European Communities (2006) C112, 5 December 2006. List of Member States’ authorisations of food and food ingredients which treated with ionising radiation

  • Perez MB, Aveldaño MI, Croci CA (2007) Postharvest Biol Technol 44:122

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto P, Riberio R, Sousa L, Cabo Verde S, Lima MG, Dinis M, Santana A, Botelho ML (2004) Rad Phys Chem 71:35

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raffi JJ, Belliardo JJ (1992) EUR-13331EN.CEC, Luxembourg

  • Raffi J et al (1994) Concerted action of the Community Bureau of Reference on methods of identification of irradiated foods, EUR-15261 EN. European Commission, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Raltech Scientific Services (1977) Mouse teratology study. Final Report, US Army Contract-DAMD 17-76-C-6047. NTIS Order Number PB84-187046

  • Raltech Scientific Services (1978) Hamster teratology study on irradiated chicken. Final Report, US Army Contract-DAMD 17-76-C-6047. NTIS Order Number PB84-187046

  • Raltech Scientific Services (1978) Dominant lethal study. Final Report, US Army Contract-DAMD 17-76-C-6047. NTIS Order Number PB84-187053

  • Raltech Scientific Services (1982) Rabbit teratology study on irradiated chicken. Final Report, submitted to USDA by Ralston Purina Co. NTIS Order Number PB84-187046

  • Raltech Scientific Services (1983) A chronic toxicity and reproductive performance study in beagle dogs (FDA docket no. 84F-0230). NTIS Order Number PB84-187020

  • Raltech Scientific Services (1984) A chronic toxicity, oncogenicity and multigeneration reproductive study using CD-1 mice to evaluate frozen, thermally sterilized, cobalt-60 irradiated and 10 MeV electron irradiated chicken meat. Final Report Contract-DAMD 17-76-C-6047. NTIS Order Number PB84-187012

  • Ramarathnam N, Osawa T, Namiki M, Kawakishi S (1989) J Am Oil Chem Soc 66:105

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao CV (2003) Nutr Cancer 46:107

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raul F, Gossé F, Delincée H, Hartwig A, Marchioni E, Miesch M, Werner D, Burnouf D (2002) Nutr Cancer 44:188

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Read MS, Kraybill HF, Worth WS, Thompson SW, Isaac GJ, Witt NF (1961) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 3:417

    Google Scholar 

  • Recommended International Code of Practice for Radiation Processing of Food (2003) CAC/RCP 19-1979, Rev. 2-2003

  • Resurreccion AVA, Galvez FCF, Fletcher SM, Misra SK (1995) J Food Prot 58:193

    Google Scholar 

  • Sajilata M, Singhal R (2006) Radiat Phys Chem 75:297

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson DCW, Carmichael LA, Fisk S (2003) J AOAC Int 86:990

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saroj SD, Hajare S, Shashidhar R, Dhokane V, Sharma A, Bandekar JR (2007) J Food Prot 70:1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Satin M (1996) Food irradiation, 2nd edn. Technomic, Lancaster

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage G, Dutta P, McNeil D (1999) J Am Oil Chem Soc 76:1059

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schilling MW, Yoon Y, Tokarskyy O, Pham AJ, Williams RC, Marshall DL (2009) Meat Sci 81:705

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber GA, Helle N, Bogl KW (1993) Int J Radiat Biol 63:105

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scientific Committee on Food. Revision of the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Irradiation of Food. European Commission. Brussels. http://europe.eu.int./comm/food/fs/sc/scf/out193_en.pdf

  • Selgas MD, Garcia ML, Calvo MM (2009) Int J Food Sci Technol 44:1983

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seo J-H, Lee J-W, Lee Y-S, Lee S-Y, Kim M-R, Yook H-S, Byun M-W (2004) J Food Prot 67:1725

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano LE, Murano EA, Shenoy K, Olson DG (1997) Poult Sci 76:202

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sommers CH (2003) J Agric Food Chem 51:6367

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sommers CH, Schiestl RH (2004) J Food Prot 67:1293

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sommers CH, Fan X (eds) (2006) Food irradiation research and technology. Blackwell, Ames

    Google Scholar 

  • Song HP, Kim B, Jung S, Choe JH, Yun H, Kim YJ, Jo C (2009) LWT–Food Sci Technol 42:1320

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stajner D, Milosevic M, Popovic BM (2007) Int J Mol Sci 8:618

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson MH (1992) Trends Food Sci Technol 3:257

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson MH (1996) In: McMurray CH, Stewart EM, Gray R, Pearce J (eds) Detections methods of irradiated foods—current status. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson MH, Crone AVJ, Hamilton JTG (1990) Nature 334:202

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson MH, Crone AVJ, Hamilton JTG, McMurray CH (1993) Radiat Phys Chem 42:363

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Terry J, McColl NP (1992) Radiological consequences of food irradiation. National Radiological Protection Board, NRPB-R247. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewfik I (2008) Food Sci Technol Int 14:277

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewfik IH, Ismail HM, Sumar S (1999) Int J Food Sci Nutr 50:51

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thayer DW (1990) J Food Qual 13:147

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thayer DW, Rajkowski KT (1999) Food Technol 53:62

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer DW, Christopher JP, Campbell LA, Ronning DC, Dahlgren RR, Thomson GM, Wierbicki E (1987) J Food Prot 50:278

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer DW, Fox JB, Lakritz L (1991) In: Thorne S (ed) Food irradiation. Elsevier Science, Barking

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer DW, Fox JB, Lakritz L (1993) Effects of ionizing radiation treatments on the microbiological, nutritional and structural quality of meats, Chapter 23. In: Spanier AM, Okai H, Tamura M (eds) Food flavor and safety. American Chemical Society, Washington, pp 294–302

    Google Scholar 

  • The Center for Food Safety (2003) Bibliography of Research on 2-ACBs. Toxic chemicals in irradiated food. The Center for Food Safety, Washington, DC, November 2003

  • The Food (Control of Irradiated) Regulations SI 2490 (1991) HMSO, London

  • Turgis M, Han J, Borsa J, Lacroix M (2008) J Food Prot 71:1237

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (1992) Copenhagen, 17, 13

  • Urbain WM (1986) Food irradiation. Academic, Orlando

    Google Scholar 

  • Urbain WM (1989) Food Technol 43:76

    Google Scholar 

  • US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (1986) Irradiation in the production, processing and handling of food. Federal Register 51:75;13376

    Google Scholar 

  • USDA/FSIS (1992) Fed. Reg 57:43588

  • USDA/FSIS (2000) Fed. Reg. 65:2284

    Google Scholar 

  • USDA/APHIS (2006) Fed. Reg. 71:4451

    Google Scholar 

  • Variyar PS, Chatterjee S, Sajilata MG, Singhal RS, Sharma A (2008) J Agric Food Chem 56:11817

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vickers ZM, Wang J (2002) J Food Sci 67:380

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vural A, Aksu H (2006) Med Wet 62:1011

    Google Scholar 

  • Vural A, Aksu H, Erkan ME (2006) Int J Food Sci Technol 41:1105

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Yu Y (2009) Int J Food Sci Technol 44:674

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1981) Wholesomeness of irradiated food. Technical Report Series no. 659. WHO, Geneva

  • WHO (1987) Food irradiation. In Point of Fact No. 40. Geneva, Switzerland

  • WHO (1991) Food irradiation—a technique for preserving and improving the safety of Food. WHO, Geneva (revised)

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1994) Safety and nutrition adequacy of irradiated food. WHO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1996) The technical basis for legislation on irradiated food. WHO Technical Report Series No. 316

  • WHO (1999) High-dose irradiation: wholesomeness of food irradiated with doses above 10 kGy. Technical Report Series no. 890. WHO, Geneva

  • Wong PYY, Kitts DD (2003) J Sci Food Agric 83:44

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yildrum I, Uzunlu S, Topuz A (2005) Food Control 16:363

    Google Scholar 

  • Żegota H, Małolepszy B (2008) Rad Phys Chem 77:1108

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu MJ, Mendonca A, Ismail HA, Ahn DU (2009) Poult Sci 88:205

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our thanks to the National Scientific Fund, Ministry of Education and Science for the financial support of project no. 311/NIP/contract no. TK-X-1606/06.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, 132 St. Kliment Ohridsky, 1756, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Rayna Stefanova

  2. Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72 Tzarigradsko chaussee, Blvd, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Nikola V. Vasilev

  3. Institute of Organic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Block 9, Acad. G. Bonchev Street, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Stefan L. Spassov

Authors
  1. Rayna Stefanova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nikola V. Vasilev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stefan L. Spassov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rayna Stefanova.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stefanova, R., Vasilev, N.V. & Spassov, S.L. Irradiation of Food, Current Legislation Framework, and Detection of Irradiated Foods. Food Anal. Methods 3, 225–252 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-009-9118-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-009-9118-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation