According to the CDC ( http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/foodirradiation.htm#whichfoods )
"At higher doses, irradiation could be used on a variety of different foods to eliminate parasites and bacteria that cause foodborne disease. Many foods can be irradiated effectively, including meat, poultry, grains, and many seafoods, fruits and vegetables."
They don't mention anything about it not working on Spinach.
Perhaps I missed something. Was the process not used or did it not work on the Spinach from California?
Have fun but be safe!
2006-09-17 06:49:09 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
It is my impression (admittedly that's all it is) that irradiation is not widely used in the U.S.--or anywhere else. Consumers are squeamish about anything involving the word "radiation", and producers are always trying to reduce costs.
E. coli is a very common bacteria--most people have it in their digestive tracts. I suspect that the spinach was contaminated either in fields, perhaps by being irrigated with water contaminated by nearby livestock, or perhaps from human contact--many farm-workers are not provided proper sanitary facilities, and may not be able to maintain good hygiene. That's sadly true even in some food-processing and other factories.
Sometimes the most complicated response is neither necessary nor best.
2006-09-17 06:56:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Worrying isn't it that the food they're giving to us is not only slightly radioactive but certain death to other types of living things, bacteria may cause us some problems but solutions to them tend to be pretty harmful to you and me too. Instead of checking use by dates are we going to be checking whether our food still glows in the dark?
Also check out the potatoes that were registered pesticides, a registered trademarked poison being made into french fries that certain big fast food chains purchased. Food when left in the hands of big companies, can be scary.
2006-09-17 06:58:36 · answer #2 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure they cannot afford to irradiate vegetables.
2006-09-17 06:55:17 · answer #3 · answered by COACH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Organic foods are not treated for bacteria and pests.
2006-09-17 07:03:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋