The news media are having their usual feeding frenzy about the latest report on foodborne disease outbreaks outlined this week by the CDC. Washing fresh fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of food poisoning, but only irradiation kills almost all disease-causing bacteria according to a study presented at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting in New Orleans. The researchewrs noted "washing with plain water did not reduce bacteria levels in spinach or lettuce. Chemical treatment did not significantly reduce E. coli in spinach leaves, and was less than 90 percent effective when it came to removing E. coli from lettuce." But, irradiation "reduced the level of E. coli by 99.99 percent in lettuce, and by 99.9 percent in spinach." The researchers also noted that "salmonella died more easily when exposed to radiation, while E. coli was a little bit more resistant."
If we can just get the public away from the 'Jane Fonda" syndrome about radiation being bad, we might make more progress in food safety. Suing food producers will not improve food safety.
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