Irradiation Information
This Federal agency protects the public health through the regulation of consumable food and medicines.
What is the FDA?
This type of electromagnetic radiation is produced by electrons outside the nucleus, and its beams kill unwanted pests on food.
What is an X-ray?
Food irradiation often messes with this part of microorganisms, disrupting their "genetic blueprint" and ability to multiply.
What is DNA?
Nuclear Irradiation commonly uses this nuclear process, where an atom's nucleus splits into smaller nuclei and other particles, releasing energy.
What is nuclear fission?
Although nuclear irradiation is applied to all foods, a majority is used on meat, specifically from this animal.
What is a cow? (Beef, Steak, Ribs, etc.)
This space organization uses food irradiation on all meat products to ensure astronauts avoid food-related illnesses.
Nuclear radiation is more effective and safer than using this sterilization process for food, which can cause unwanted residue of substances and contamination.
What is chemical sterilization?
Food Irradiation often eliminates these bacterial infections that occur in raw meat products and some dairy items.
What is Salmonella and/or E. Coli?
Nuclear energy is relatively safe (according to deaths per TWh of produced energy), unlike this energy source, which causes many deaths due to air pollution.
What is coal? (Also will accept oil)
This element is widely used in food irradiation as a gamma emitter because it is effective and has a long half-life.
What is Colbalt-60?
This somewhat dangerous type of electromagnetic radiation is produced inside the nucleus of an atom, extending the shelf life of meats and produce.
What is a gamma ray?
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (the scientist who discovered X-rays) and Otto Wuest (who patented food irradiation) were born in this European country.
What is Germany?
This agency installs international regulations on the process of nuclear radiation on various food items, maintaining global safety.
What is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)?
This spectrum contains the range of radiation, including energy types like X-rays and Gamma rays.
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
This country leads the world in the largest volume of food irradiated per year, with over 500,000 tons of grain and meat in 2016. (Think grain and rice production)
What is China?