STATUS OF FOOD IRRADIATION IN THE UNITED-STATES

The time immediately preceding the 8th International Meeting on Radiat ion Processing in September 1992 has been a landmark period for food i rradiation in the United States. U.S. regulatory officials, industry a nd media representatives, and some consumer organizations share the op inion that radiation processing may be part of the solution to microbi ological contamination of products of animal origin. Several new regul ations being developed by U.S. regulatory agencies and being petitione d by industry groups are outlined. Renewed interest on the part of the U.S. Army in using irradiated foods in many of their rations is revie wed. The first commercial facility designed for food irradiation and t wo demonstration food irradiation facilities began operations early in 1992. The progress of these facilities is discussed. The North Americ an Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Uruguay round of GATT negotiat ions may significantly lower barriers that impede international agricu ltural trade. International agreement on appropriate control and inspe ction procedures would eliminate unnecessary differences and improve m utual trust thus facilitating international trade in irradiated foods. The harmonization of radiation process practices, dosimetry standards , and other issues plays a very important role in meeting the provisio ns of trade agreements. It is vitally important to address these issue s early in the commercialization of food irradiation throughout the tr ading world. Some comments in that area are provided. Much has been do ne already to harmonize regulations and facilitate trade; but there is still much to be done. Regardless of how these issues are resolved, t hey will have a significant impact on the use of radiation processing for foods and the trade of irradiated foods all over the world.