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Questions and Answers
What advantage does irradiation have regarding the treatment of foods?
What advantage does irradiation have regarding the treatment of foods?
What potential disadvantage of irradiation poses a health risk?
What potential disadvantage of irradiation poses a health risk?
What is the maximum average dose of irradiation considered safe for food according to JECFI?
What is the maximum average dose of irradiation considered safe for food according to JECFI?
Which issue has historically hindered the acceptance of irradiated foods?
Which issue has historically hindered the acceptance of irradiated foods?
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What is a potential drawback of food irradiation related to consumer perception?
What is a potential drawback of food irradiation related to consumer perception?
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What is a notable similarity between irradiation and other preservation methods?
What is a notable similarity between irradiation and other preservation methods?
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How often does the source used in food irradiation need to be changed?
How often does the source used in food irradiation need to be changed?
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What factor could potentially develop as a disadvantage of irradiation?
What factor could potentially develop as a disadvantage of irradiation?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a public concern regarding irradiated foods?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a public concern regarding irradiated foods?
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In addition to food products, which of the following is listed as a current use of irradiation?
In addition to food products, which of the following is listed as a current use of irradiation?
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What is one of the primary uses of food irradiation?
What is one of the primary uses of food irradiation?
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Which unit is considered the new standard for measuring radiation dose?
Which unit is considered the new standard for measuring radiation dose?
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How does the effect of irradiation on food compare to another food preservation method?
How does the effect of irradiation on food compare to another food preservation method?
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What type of food is not mentioned as an application for food irradiation?
What type of food is not mentioned as an application for food irradiation?
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What is the equivalent of 1 kGy in rads?
What is the equivalent of 1 kGy in rads?
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What type of radiation is primarily used in food irradiation to destroy microorganisms?
What type of radiation is primarily used in food irradiation to destroy microorganisms?
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Which of the following materials is NOT commonly used as a radiation source in food irradiation?
Which of the following materials is NOT commonly used as a radiation source in food irradiation?
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What is the primary effect of ionizing radiation on food during irradiation?
What is the primary effect of ionizing radiation on food during irradiation?
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In how many countries is food irradiation permitted as a preservation method?
In how many countries is food irradiation permitted as a preservation method?
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What happens when radiation strikes other materials during irradiation?
What happens when radiation strikes other materials during irradiation?
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What is one of the safety features required for food irradiation processes?
What is one of the safety features required for food irradiation processes?
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Why is ionizing radiation specifically effective for food preservation?
Why is ionizing radiation specifically effective for food preservation?
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Ionizing radiation has the ability to knock electrons out of materials. What does this lead to?
Ionizing radiation has the ability to knock electrons out of materials. What does this lead to?
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Study Notes
Irradiation of Food
- Irradiation is a process of using ionizing radiation to extend shelf life by destroying food-borne bacteria, parasites, insects, and molds.
- The main sources are gamma rays from radioactive sources, electron beams from X-rays and gamma radiation.
- Radiation knocks electrons out of materials, breaking the molecular structure and forming ions or free radicals.
- It's permitted in over 38 countries and can be used on fresh, frozen, or packaged products.
- It is a non-thermal process and therefore has little or no heating during the process.
- This process does not use chemical preservatives.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Advantages of irradiation: low energy requirements, minimal changes to sensory properties, high bacterial loads can be eliminated, and allows for longer preservation periods.
- Disadvantages of irradiation: it can result in off-flavors, potential damage to nutrients, and the potential for the destruction of beneficial bacteria, along with risks of food spoilage and consumer perception.
- The process can use a variety of sources, including Cobalt-60 and Cesium-137.
Current Food Applications
- Irradiation is used in food products such as spices, herbs, dehydrated vegetables, strawberries, papayas, mangos, poultry, and mushrooms.
Public Concerns
- Public concerns include: the creation of potentially harmful compounds, loss of nutrients, the use of irradiation to cover food contamination, and the level of exposure to radiation by workers.
Terms to Describe Energy Level
- Dose: amount of energy transferred, measured in rad or gray (Gy)
- 1 Gy = 100,000 rad
- 1 chest x-ray = 0.01 rad
- Natural background radiation = 0.1 rad/year
Effect on Food
- Similar to pasteurization, irradiation can be used to prevent sprouting in vegetables, delay ripening in fruits, kill insects and pests, and kill micro-organisms that cause food spoilage or poisoning.
Effect on Packaging
- Irradiation can affect the materials used in food packaging; some packaging materials are not compatible with this process.
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Description
This quiz explores the process of food irradiation, including its methods, benefits, and drawbacks. Learn how ionizing radiation helps extend shelf life while considering its impact on nutritional value and food safety. Test your knowledge on this non-thermal food preservation technique.
