Index page for: Food Irradiation: A Guidebook, Second Edition

Table of Contents Food IrradiationWhat Is Irradiation? Radioactivity How Is It Similar to Other Processes? In What Way Does Irradiation Affect Foods? Radiation Units A Short History of Food Irradiation PasteurizationThe Early Work Commercial Pasteurization Pasteurization Finally Succeeds Some Countries Still Do Not Have Pasteurized Milk The Relationship between Pasteurization and Food Irradiation Irradiated Milk Foodborne DiseasesPerception of the Problem Terminology Our Awareness of Foodborne Disease Bacterial Diseases Mold Diseases Viruses Parasites The Costs of Foodborne Disease The Use of Irradiation to Prevent the Spread of Foodborne DiseasesWhy Use Food Irradiation? The Poultry Industry Spices The Prevention of Food Losses after HarvestingThe Extent of Losses Causes of Losses The Need for Insect Quarantine Control of Sprouting and Germination Shelf Life Extension of Perishable Foods Delaying Ripening and Aging of Fruits and Vegetables Magnitude of Losses Advocacy Objections to Food Irradiation (sampling of sections)Food Irradiation Complaint List Food Irradiation Will Be Used to Mask Spoiled Food Food Irradiation Will Discourage Strict Adherence to GMP Food Irradiation Will Preferentially Kill Good Bacteria . . . Irradiated Foods Are Devitalized and Denatured Irradiated Foods Are Unnecessary Food Irradiation Impairs Flavor Food Irradiation Fails to Destroy Bacterial Toxins . . . Irradiated Food May Be Radioactive Irradiation Brings about Harmful Chemical Changes . . . Irradiated Foods Can Cause Genetic Mutations Polyploidy The . . . Issue Needs a Properly Referenced Scientific Report Irradiated Foods and the ConsumerConsumer Reaction to Irradiated Foods Who Permits Freedom of Choice for Consumers? Influences upon Decision Makers Positive Consumer Action Legislation Market Choices Consumer Information The Media Irradiation and the Food IndustryA Different Attitude towards Food Irradiation Risk versus Benefit Irradiated Food Liabilities Irradiated Food Advantages Future Applications Some Final Thoughts A World Free of Risk A Light at the End of the Tunnel A Free and Informed Choice References, Index