Received this update today through a state organics association:


FDA Allows Irradiation of Spinach & Lettuce

Effective August 22, the Food and Drug Administration now permits irradiation of conventionally grown spinach and lettuce to extend shelf-life and control food-borne pathogens. Written or electronic objections to this amendment of the food additive regulations can be submitted by September 22, 2008.

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E8-19573.htm

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES  --  Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 179

[Docket No. FDA-1999-F-2405] (formerly 1999F-5522)

 Irradiation in the Production, Processing and Handling of Food

ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for control of food-borne pathogens, and extension of shelf-life, in fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach (hereinafter referred to in this document as ``iceberg lettuce and spinach'') at a dose up to 4.0 kiloGray (kGy).
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Based on the totality of the evidence, FDA concludes that irradiation of iceberg lettuce and spinach under the conditions proposed in this petition does not present a toxicological hazard.
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Toxicological Considerations

The available information from the results of chemical reactions described in section II.A of this document suggests that there is no reason to suspect a toxicological hazard due to consumption of an irradiated food.

Now, instead of being dirty produce, it will be dirty, irradiated produce.

5CatMom
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