FDA says irradiation is safeFDA says irradiation is safe

The FDA announced today that it has approved irradiation for iceberg lettuce and spinach. Irradiation, which is prohibited under the USDA Organic label, is a process by which food is exposed briefly to small doses of radiation, killing insects, bacteria, and other germies that have found their way into produce and animal products. Currently, irradiation is used on spices, red meat, poultry, and shellfish. Check out our September Organics issue -- hitting stores in two weeks -- for more on the facts and controversy surrounding irradiation.