The Food and Drug Administration announced a final rule amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for the control of foodborne pathogens and extension of shelf-life in fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach. FDA has determined that this use of ionizing radiation will not adversely affect the safety of the food.
This final rule is a partial response to a food additive petition (FAP 9M4697) that had been filed by The National Food Processors Association (now the Grocery Manufacturers' Association) on behalf of The Food Irradiation Coalition. In 2007, the petitioner requested a response to a part of the original scope of the petition while the remainder would remain under review. Specifically, the petitioner requested a response to amend the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for the control of foodborne pathogens and extension of shelf-life in fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach up to a maximum absorbed dose of 4.0 kilogray (kGy).
This final rule will permit the irradiation of fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach to a maximum absorbed dose of 4.0 kGy, which is effective in reducing microbial pathogens that have been associated with these crops in the past.
Additional information regarding the final rule is available by contacting Dr. Lane A. Highbarger, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-255), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, (301) 436-1204.