Irradiation

Question 1

What is the underlying principle of irradiation?

Answer 1

Food is exposed to low levels of gamma radiation which pass through the food and destroy microorganisms, kill pests and prevent the sprouting of vegetables or ripening of fruit

Question 2

What are the result of irradiation on food?

Answer 2

Microorganisms are destroyed
Pests are killed
Sprouting of vegetables is prevented
Ripening of fruit is prevented

Question 3

What foods can be irradiated?

Answer 3

Herbs
Spices
Fruit
Vegetables

Question 4

How many irradiation facilities are there in Ireland?

Answer 4

There are none

Question 5

What words must irradiated foods be labelled with in Ireland?

Answer 5

‘irradiated’

‘treated with ionising radiation’

Question 6

What is the international icon for irradiated foods?

Answer 6

The Radura symbol

Question 7

What are the advantages of irradiation?

4 points

Answer 7

Extends the shelf life of food
Kills pests
Delays the ripening of fruit and the sprouting of vegetables
Retains sensory characteristics

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of irradiation?

4 points

Answer 8

Vitamin B1 and C are reduced or destroyed
The chemical composition of high fat foods may change e.g. lipids become rancid
May mislead consumers into believing the food is fresher
Can cause large numbers of free radicals which can increase the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease