What's New -- CSPI Press Releases For Release: December 2, 1997 For more information: 202/332-9110

Statement of Michael Jacobson Executive Director on FDA's Approval of Irradiation for Red Meat Products Irradiation is no silver bullet for improving the safety of meat products. It is a high-tech end-of-the-line solution to contamination problems that can and should be addressed earlier. Consumers prefer to have no filth on meat than to have filth sterilized by irradiation. Irradiation is expensive. USDA estimates that it may add up to five cents per pound to the cost of ground beef. It can also result in taste and nutritional changes to red meat. The meat and poultry industry should invest in new technologies that create clean products with less expense. Steam pasteurization and steam vacuum are examples of technologies that the meat industry already has available to produce safer products.

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