Ionizing radiation and food - Part 2
Is irradiated food radioactive?
Of course not! Gamma rays, X-rays or e-beam do not have the ability to make anything radioactive.
Before applying this practice, irradiated food has been deeply tested. Irradiation does not make foods radioactive, does not compromise nutritional quality, or noticeably change the taste, texture, or appearance of food. Irradiation does not leave any trace: actually it is not easy to tell if a food has been irradiated!
…But do you know that naturally radioactive food exists?
Many foods that we consume regularly contain some level of natural radioactivity.
NATURALLY RADIOACTIVE FOOD
Food that naturally contains radioactive
elements
It is slightly radioactive
No label on it
IRRADIATED FOOD
Food underwent ionizing radiation, it does not contain radioactive elements
It is not radioactive
It has the Radura label on it
Why is food naturally radioactive?
Naturally-occurring radioactive isotopes, such as potassium-40 or carbon-14, as well as their decay products, are found in some foods. For example, foods that are rich in potassium, such as bananas, contain a small fraction of naturally radioactive potassium, potassium-40. Brazil nuts, on the other hand, are the most radioactive due to their higher concentration of radioactive potassium and to the presence of radium, which is taken up from the soil. However, do not worry! They are still safe to consume and do not pose a radiation risk.
How much radioactive is a banana?
NB
Banana Equivalent Dose (BED) is an informal unit of measurement for ionizing radiation exposure used for general educational purposes. It is used to compare the dose of radioactivity to the dose one is exposed to by eating an average-sized banana, which contains naturally occurring radioactive isotopes, mainly potassium-40. However, it is important to note that BED is not a formally adopted dose measurement, and its correlation to sievert (Sv) or microsievert (μSv) is only an approximation. In practice, the dose from potassium in food is not cumulative as it is excreted in urine to maintain the body's balance. Therefore, while BED can serve as an educational exercise, it should not be used for accurate measurement or radiation exposure assessment.
The power of food irradiation!
to find new solutions
Throughout history, insect pests have posed challenges by spreading diseases, damaging crops and affecting environments, causing huge damage in agriculture and limiting food availability. International trade and climate change are making insects move into new areas. To avoid such issues, authorities must implement strict quarantine measures across boundaries. However, irradiation could strongly help preventing insect spreading, indeed some States intend to exploit food irradiation to improve conservation of supplies to face future variable crop yields.
to face special situations
This treatment can assure safe food to patients in the hospitals, fighting diseases and dealing with weakened immune systems, in emergency centers where food has to be stored at ambient temperatures as there is no refrigeration, or to astronauts in the space.
