Brazilian consumer views on food irradiation

This study investigated the consumer attitude to food irradiation in São Paulo, Brazil, through a qualitative research perspective. Three focus groups were conducted with 30 consumers, responsible for food choices and purchases. Both irradiated and nonirradiated food samples were served in the sessions to motivate the discussion and elicit the participants´ knowledge, opinions, feelings and concerns towards the irradiation process. Reactions were similar among the groups and differences between the irradiated and the nonirradiated samples were hardly perceived. When provided with positive information about irradiation and its benefits to foods and human health, many people still remained suspicious about the safety of the technology. Risk perception seemed to be related to unease and lack of knowledge about nuclear power and its non-defense use. Participants claimed for more transparency in communication about risks and benefits of irradiated foods to the human health, especially with respect to the continued consumption.Industrial relevanceIrradiation is an emerging food processing technology, which has been gaining interest by food technologists, producers and manufacturers all over the world in the last decades. Irradiation is suitable for disinfestation, microorganism load reduction or sterilization, assuring the safety, as well as having benefits in the shelf-life of foodstuffs.Food irradiation is approved in many countries and its use in food processing is endorsed by several reputed authorities, such as FAO and USDA. Despite the approval and recommendation, this technology still remains underutilized not only in Brazil, but also in other countries. The main reason appears to be the consumer concerns and doubts about the use of radiations in food processing. To develop communication strategies in promotion of irradiated foods it is necessary to investigate consumer attitudes, knowledge, opinions, as well as fears, with respect to the use of radiation in food processing.It is well-known that consumer views on technology may vary from a culture to another. So, findings from consumer research in a country may certainly not reflect the consumer views in other countries. In this sense, Brazilian studies focused on consumer views on food irradiation are necessary to gain understanding on how the local market accepts the technology. Brazil is one of the most important food producers in the world and an emerging consumer market with a population of about 184 million people. Food irradiation is regulated in Brazil since 1973, but to date only a few food ingredients are subjected to irradiation. The wide use of irradiation in food processing would favor Brazilian producers in the quality and safety assurance of food products, both for the local market and for exports.     

Consumer awareness and acceptance of irradiated foods: Results of a survey conducted on Turkish consumers

Consumer awareness and acceptance, and influence of benefit statements and price on acceptance of irradiated foods were investigated in Turkey. Consumer awareness of food irradiation was very low (29%). Majority of consumers (80%) were uncertain about the safety of irradiated foods. Only 11% expressed irradiated foods are safe. Level of positive attitude towards irradiated foods increased substantially (62%) upon hearing a benefit statement of food irradiation. Purchase intent of irradiated foods was highest (44%) when price is same as unirradiated foods, but significant proportion of consumers indicated to pay 5% premium price for irradiated foods. A successful market for irradiated foods can be achieved by educating consumers with the benefit and uses of irradiation process.     

Impact of irradiation on the safety and quality of poultry and meat products: a review

For more than 100 years research on food irradiation has demonstrated that radiation will make food safer and improve the shelf life of irradiated foods. Using the current food safety technology, we may have reached the point of diminishing returns even though recent figures from the CDC show a significant drop in the number of foodborne illnesses. However, too many people continue to get sick and die from eating contaminated food. New and under utilized technologies such as food irradiation need to be re-examined to achieve new levels of safety for the food supply. Effects of irradiation on the safety and quality of meat and poultry are discussed. Irradiation control of the principle microbial pathogens including viruses, the differences among at-risk sub-populations, factors affecting the diminished rate of improvement in food safety and published D values for irradiating raw meat and poultry are presented. Currently permitted levels of irradiation are probably not sufficient to control pathogenic viruses. Typical gram-negative spoilage organisms are very sensitive to irradiation. Their destruction leads to a significant increase in the acceptable shelf life. In addition, the destruction of these normal spoilage organisms did not provide a competitive growth advantage for irradiation injured food pathogens. Another of the main focuses of this review is a detailed compilation of the effects of most of the food additives that have been proposed to minimize the negative quality effect of irradiation. Most of the antimicrobials and antioxidants used singly or in combination produced an increased lethality of irradiation and a decrease in oxidation by-products. Combinations of dosage, temperature, dietary and direct additives, storage temperature and packaging atmosphere can produce meats that the average consumer will find indistinguishable from non-irradiated meats. A discussion of the production of unique radiological by-products is also included.     

Levels of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone in ground beef patties irradiated by low-energy X-ray and gamma rays

Food irradiation improves food safety and maintains food quality by controlling microorganisms and extending shelf life. However, acceptance and commercial adoption of food irradiation is still low. Consumer groups such as Public Citizen and the Food and Water Watch have opposed irradiation because of the formation of 2-alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) in irradiated, lipid-containing foods. The objectives of this study were to measure and to compare the level of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) in ground beef irradiated by low-energy X-rays and gamma rays. Beef patties were irradiated by low-energy X-rays and gamma rays (Cs-137) at 3 targeted absorbed doses of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 kGy. The samples were extracted with n-hexane using a Soxhlet apparatus, and the 2-DCB concentration was determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The 2-DCB concentration increased linearly (P < 0.05) with irradiation dose for gamma-ray and low-energy X-ray irradiated patties. There was no significant difference in 2-DCB concentration between gamma-ray and low-energy X-ray irradiated patties (P > 0.05) at all targeted doses.     

辐照技术对食品及包装材料迁移规律的影响

随着食品辐照技术的迅速发展,辐照食品的安全性也逐渐受到广大消费者的重视。辐照技术可以杀死食物中的致病微生物及部分的腐败细菌,抑制食物劣变的生理和生化过程,使食物不易腐败,起到保持食物新鲜的作用。辐照技术的优势很多,但是辐照技术对包装材料的物理化学变化也不容忽视,食品包装中大多数的食品是与包装材料直接接触,辐照对包装材料的影响也会直接影响到食品的安全。目前国内外对60Co-γ辐照技术和电子束辐照技术的应用最为广泛,文章将分别论述2种辐照技术的特点及研究、应用现状,旨在为今后辐照技术的安全发展提供参考。     

Microbiological safety of irradiated foods

This paper attempts to summarize relevant information on microbiological safety of irradiated foods in the light of previous reports of expert committees and current literature references. After a brief survey of the relative radiation resistance of food-borne microorganisms, the importance of microbial load for dose requirement, and the role of post-irradiation conditions, it addresses the following questions: Could selective changes in the microflora, caused by non-sterilizing radiation doses, make known pathogens more likely to occur, or bring into prominence unfamiliar pathogens? Is it probable that 'mutational' (including adaptive) changes might make pathogens more virulent, more harmful, or more difficult to recognize, and could new pathogens arise in this way? Is it possible that development of radiation-resistant strains might render the antimicrobial irradiation processes ineffective? The present survey of relevant scientific evidence related to these questions reaffirms the basic conclusion of earlier reviews, that microbiological safety of irradiated food is fully comparable with that of foods preserved by other acceptable preservation methods. Similar to other preservation processes, gains in microbiological or keeping quality attained by food irradiation can be and must be safeguarded by proper control in the food irradiation facilities and by proper care of the product before and after processing.     

中国食品毒理学的现状和发展

中国食品毒理学建立于20世纪50年代，发展于70年代。在农药残留量标准的制定，辐照食品的安全性评价，食品添加剂使用的研究，霉菌毒素污染的研究，化学污染物的研究，茶叶防癌机制的研究，保健食品的安全性评价及功能性评价等方面食品毒理学发挥了重要的作用，得到了长足的发展，但与国际先进水平比较仍有较大差距，为适应国际国内食品贸易的要求，食品毒理学必须得有一个较大的发展。     

辐照对蛋白质及过敏原的影响研究进展

我国辐照食品技术发展迅速,是世界上辐照食品产量最大的国家。辐照技术具有处理效率高、处理时间短、处理量大、非热加工、易于产业化生产等优点,被广泛用于水果、蔬菜、海产品等的保鲜过程中,随着研究深入也被用于食品有害物质的降解、品质改善等过程中。尽管国际卫生组织(World Health Organization,WHO)强调低剂量辐照(小于10 kGy)对食品加工具有安全性,可以大量推广应用,但由于消费者对辐照食品的加工过程及其作用机制缺乏了解,普遍对其比较谨慎,往往担心产生辐射残留、生成新的危害物、破坏营养组分等。为了揭示辐照对食品组分及其营养安全性的影响,近年来国内外学者开展了大量研究,本文结合课题组前期研究成果及国内外相关研究进展,就辐照对食品组分中蛋白质及过敏原的影响研究进行简要综述。     

Impact of electron-beam irradiation on the quality characteristics of raw ground beef

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different irradiation doses (0–4.5 kGy) on the quality of raw ground beef. The results showed a significant increase in lipid oxidation and protein oxidation after irradiation, and color fading was observed only at 4.5 kGy irradiation. The increasing spermidine did not trigger any food safety panic button in irradiated raw ground beef, but this issue should be taken into consideration in irradiated cured meat products. Electronic tongue detected higher saltiness in irradiated meat due to increased drip loss by irradiation. Due to the synergistic effect of saltiness on umami, an unexpected increase in umami taste was observed at 4.5 kGy. Dimethyl disulfide produced from the sulfur-containing amino acids, the major irradiation processing biomarker, was only detected at 4.5 kGy irradiation. Thus, electron beam irradiation <4.5 kGy was effective doses for the vacuum-packaged raw ground beef without influencing its physicochemical characteristics.     

Determination of radiation-induced hydrocarbons in processed food and complex lipid matrices A new solid phase extraction (SPE) method for detection of irradiated components in food

 Detection of irradiated components in processed food with complex lipid matrices can be affected by two problems. First, the processed food may contain only a small amount of the irradiated component, and the radiation-induced hydrocarbons may be diluted throughout the lipid matrix of the whole food. Second, in complex lipid matrices, the detection of prior irradiation is often disturbed by fat-associated compounds. In these cases, common solid phase extraction (SPE) Florisil clean-up alone is inadequate in the detection of prior irradiation. Subsequent SPE argentation chromatography of the Florisil eluate allows the measurement of small amounts of irradiated lipid-containing ingredients in processed food as well as the detection of prior irradiation in complex lipid matrices such as paprika and chilli. SPE argentation chromatography is the first method available for the selective enrichment of radiation-specific hydrocarbons from even complex lipid matrices, thus enabling the detection of irradiation doses as low as 0.025 kGy. Furthermore, by using radiation-induced hydrocarbons in the detection of prior irradiation of paprika and chilli powder, a second independent method, the first being measurement of thermoluminescence, is available for the analysis of these matrices. Such analysis could be achieved by using this highly sensitive, cheap and easy to perform combined SPE Florisil/argentation chromatography method, without the need for sophisticated techniques like SFE-GC/MS or LC-GC/MS, so that highly sensitive detection of prior irradiation could be performed in almost every laboratory. Received: 19 February 1996/Revised version: 24 May 1996     

GAMMA IRRADIATION ON FROZEN AND PACKAGED HEADED SHRIMP

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of γ irradiation (0, 2, 4 and 6 kGy doses), applied on frozen and packaged headed shrimps, on pathogenic Vibrio cholerae O1 and Salmonella enteritidis bacteria, as well as on some of the physical and sensory characteristics of this kind of food. The 6 kGy dose was highly efficient in inhibiting V. cholerae O1 and S. enteritidis and in decreasing lipid oxidation in shrimps compared with the nonirradiated product. Shrimp texture was not affected by any of the irradiation doses studied, but the lightness of the surface color increased in shrimps irradiated with 6 kGy compared with those irradiated with 2 kGy. Shrimps irradiated with 6 kGy showed lower overall acceptability than those irradiated with 2 kGy or were nonirradiated. The application of γ irradiation in doses up to 6 kGy on frozen and packaged headed shrimps could improve the microbiological quality of this commodity.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of γ irradiation has the potential to ensure safety effectively by inactivating bacteria, increasing shelf life and maintaining food quality without significant chemical changes in the food matrix. Besides, this process can be applied to frozen and packaged products. Thus, irradiation of frozen and packaged shrimps could benefit the local processing industry, which could offer the international market a high-quality product, with an additional safety treatment.     

Detection Methods for Irradiated Foods

ABSTRACT: Proper control of irradiation processing of food is very critical to facilitate international trade of irradiated foods and to enhance consumer confidence, consumer choice, and safety. Analytical detection of radiation‐processing of food is very important to implement quality control at all levels. An ideal detection method should measure a specific radiation effect, which is proportional to the dose and should not be affected by processing parameters and storage conditions or the length of time between irradiation processing and analysis. The detection of irradiated foods is mainly based on radiolysis of lipids, modification of amino acids, modification of DNA, modification of carbohydrates, formation of free radicals, release of hydrogen gas, alterations in microbial load, measurement of biological difference, and other physical methods.     

Experiences of food irradiation in Japan

Abstract

In this paper, we shall attempt to present the history and current status of food irradiation research and commercialization in Japan. In 1967 the Japan Atomic Energy Commission decided to promote the research and development of food irradiation, based on research activities since 1954. The national project on food irradiation investigated the following: 1) the inhibition of sprout growth of potatoes and onions, 2) the prevention of infestation of rice and wheat, 3) the extension of shelf life of sausage and fish‐paste products, and 4) the growth inhibition of molds on the surfaces of oranges by using electron beams. As a result of this national project, a commercial potato irradiation plant was constructed and has been operating for 12 years. Market price fluctuations during the off‐season were also successfully reduced. However, a boycott movement by some consumer unions against irradiated potatoes has seriously affected food processors. The technical problems of irradiated potatoes, such as rotting and accumulation of sugar during storage, were solved by conditioning before and after irradiation. After the termination of the national project, studies were carried out on farm animal feeds for the purpose of eliminating pathogens such as salmonellae and extending shelf life by delaying mold growth. The accumulation of sugar in irradiated sweet potatoes, identification methodology of irradiated foods, and radiation‐decontamination of microorganisms in spices have also been studied. The greatest problem now is to overcome the public's resistance to irradiated food.     

Food irradiation

Food irradiation has become a matter of topical interest also in the Federal Republic of Germany following applications for exemptions concerning irradiation tests of spices. After risks to human health by irradiation doses up to a level sufficient for product pasteurization were excluded, irradiation now offers a method suitable primarily for the disinfestation of fruit and decontamination of frozen and dried food. Codex Alimentarius standards which refer also to supervision and dosimetry have been established; they should be adopted as national law. However, in the majority of cases where individual countries including EC member-countries so far permitted food irradiation, these standards were not yet used. Approval irradiation technique for industrial use is available. Several industrial food irradiation plants, partly working also on a contractual basis, are already in operation in various countries. Consumer response still is largely unknown; since irradiated food is labelled, consumption of irradiated food will be decided upon by consumers.     

Food irradiation‐chemistry and applications∗

Abstract

Food irradiation is one of the most extensively and thoroughly studied methods of food preservation. Despite voluminous data on safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods, food irradiation is still a “process in waiting.” Although some countries are allowing the use of irradiation technology on certain foods, its full potential is not recognized. Only 37 countries worldwide permit the use of this technology. If used to its full potential, food irradiation can save millions of human lives being lost annually due to food‐borne diseases or starvation and can add billions of dollars to the world economy. This paper briefly reviews the history and chemistry of food irradiation along with its main applications, impediments to its adoption, and its role in improving food availability and health situation, particularly in developing countries of the world.     

Worldwide Status of Fresh Fruits Irradiation and Concerns about Quality,Safety, and Consumer Acceptance

Development of knowledge-based food preservation techniques have been a major focus of researchers in providing safe and nutritious food. Food irradiation is one of the most thoroughly investigated food preservation techniques, which has been shown to be effective and safe through extensive research. This process involves exposing food to ionizing radiations in order to destroy microorganisms or insects that might be present on and/or in the food. In addition, the effects of irradiation on the enzymatic activity and improvement of functional properties in food have also been well established. In the present review, the potential of food irradiation technology to address major problems, such as short shelf life, high-initial microbial loads, insect pest management (quarantine treatment) in supply chain, and safe consumption of fresh fruits was described. With improved hygienic quality, other uses, such as delayed ripening and enhanced physical appearance by irradiation were also discussed. Available data showed that the irradiation of fruits at the optimum dose can be a safe and cost-effective method, resulting in enhanced shelf life and hygienic quality with the least amount of compromise on the various nutritional attributes, whereas the consumer acceptance of irradiated fruits is a matter of providing the proper scientific information.     

基于间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸鉴定辐照海产品

利用超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆/线性离子阱质谱（ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole linear ion trap tadem mass spectrometry,QTRAP-UPLC-MS/MS）技术测定海产品中与辐照相关的多种氨基酸及同分异构体,研究辐照剂量（0.5～20?kGy）与不同海产品中辐照标识性产物间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸的产生和含量的关系。不同贮藏条件和加工方式对间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸特异性和稳定性,以及对辐照海产品测定的影响。结果表明：辐照可诱导苯丙氨酸产生对酪氨酸、间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸,无需其他酶和微生物的作用,且含量与辐照剂量呈线性关系;辐照剂量和样品含水量与辐照标识物的产生量密切相关;在－20?℃,间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸具有良好的稳定性;不同贮藏条件和加工方式对辐照海产品中间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸含量具有一定影响,但是仍能提取到足够量的间酪氨酸和邻酪氨酸用于辐照海产品的鉴定;利用QTRAP-UPLC-MS/MS对海产品中邻酪氨酸和间酪氨酸作为辐照标识物的测定,最低可检测到经0.5?kGy辐照的样品,可准确地对辐照海产品是否经过辐照进行判定,为辐照海产品的检测提供依据。     

POTENTIAL FUTURE CHALLENGES TO THE APPLICATION OF GAMMA IRRADIATION TO SEAFOOD IN TUNISIA

There is an increasing consumer demand for high quality, minimally processed, additive-free and microbiologically safe foods. The future application of irradiation to the seafood industry is developing. In order to investigate the feasibility of using gamma irradiation in the fish and seafood industry, questionnaires were distributed to the managers of 25 fish exporting companies. The cost of irradiation and the additional transport services were discussed and mostly accepted. This survey showed that essential conditions are to be found in Tunisia to introduce irradiation technology into the exporting seafood industry. However, the legal status of seafood irradiation varies in some importing countries (mainly European Union [EU]). Regulators within the EU have taken different approaches to allowing processors to use this technology. Such inconsistency is related to the objection of misinformed consumers. Consequently, commercial trade of irradiated seafood could be impeded.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This article provides evidence of the importance of industry managers' role in the food chain when testing the feasibility of a new process. Fish shelf-life extension using gamma irradiation is an emerging technology that presents many advantages to all food chain components and allows international trade requirements to be met. The seafood export industry in Tunisia shows the technological need for such a process. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the economic cost of irradiation in Tunisia is acceptable and that it could enhance fish export capacity. However, the legal status of fish irradiation in the import countries, mainly the European Union, should be modernized in order to assure the feasibility of irradiated fish export from Tunisia.