FDA to Allow Radiated Spinach, Lettuce

"Let's get one thing straight up front. Just because the government has ruled that spinach and lettuce can now be zapped with radiation to kill E. coli, salmonella and other nasty bugs, it doesn't mean that the produce will be radioactive, warm to the touch or even pre-cooked.

The decision by the Food and Drug Administration has been long awaited since the Grocery Manufacturers Association petitioned the agency in 2000 to allow producers to irradiate a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and prepared foods.

The equipment is costly, but well worth it to producers because the process also can control insects and parasites, reduce spoilage, and extend shelf-life.

However, Thursday's action by the federal food protectors limits the use of zoomies only to spinach and iceberg lettuce.

"I wish it could be used on all greens, all types of lettuce, and herbs like basil and parsley and cilantro," said Dr. Christine Bruhn, a researcher from the University of California, Davis Center for Consumer Research."

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