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4 °C - the National Sea Grant Library

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HOW CONSUMER EDUCATION AFFECTS<br />

ATTITUDES TOWARD FOOD IRRADIATION<br />

L.S. Andrews, R.M. Grodner, R.A. Hinson, and A. Key<br />

Department of Food Science<br />

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station<br />

Louisiana State University<br />

Baton Rouge, LA 70803<br />

A major obstacle facing <strong>the</strong> food irradiation industry is <strong>the</strong> lack of understanding by<br />

consumers as to <strong>the</strong> purpose for irradiation processing of perishable food items. Consumers have<br />

been exposed to much misinformation as to <strong>the</strong> saf?ety and wholesomeness of irradiated food<br />

products. Research work over <strong>the</strong> past 50 years has proven low dose gamma irradiation (~10 kGY)<br />

to be effective in reducing pathogenic bacteria and extending shelf-life of such perishable food items<br />

as seafood, spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry. Extensive studies have shown that low dose<br />

gamma irradiation does not alter <strong>the</strong> wholesomeness of fresh products any more than <strong>the</strong>rmal<br />

processing. Ano<strong>the</strong>r misconception is that food producers will try to use irradiation to extend shelflife<br />

of partially spoiled foods. This is exactly opposite of <strong>the</strong> irradiation processors purpose, in that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y only submit <strong>the</strong> freshest products to irradiation. Ano<strong>the</strong>r misconception is that irradiated<br />

products become radioactive. The effective gamma rays emitted from radiation sources in fact are<br />

much <strong>the</strong> same as X-rays. The rays pass through <strong>the</strong> food and dissipate into harmless lower energy<br />

particles. The purpose of this study was to determine <strong>the</strong> effect of food irradiation education on<br />

attitudes of a group of teens and young adults.<br />

MATERIALS AND METHODS<br />

Students, aged 16-24, were evaluated for <strong>the</strong>ir attitudes about food irradiation. Students aged<br />

16- 17 were from a local public parish high school enrolled in second semester chemistry. Students<br />

aged 18-24 were University students, non food science majors enrolled in ei<strong>the</strong>r basic Food Science<br />

or Food and Drug Law course.<br />

Students were given an attitudinal PreTest in which <strong>the</strong>y were asked general questions about<br />

<strong>the</strong> purpose and safety of food irradiation. After a period of 2-3 weeks, students were presented a<br />

general lecture and video, prepared by <strong>the</strong> Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, (1994). In this<br />

lecture, students were given general information about all food processes and where irradiation<br />

processing fit into <strong>the</strong> overall picture of food processing. The video also in picture form presented<br />

<strong>the</strong> general topic of food irradiation, showing how an irradiation plant is designed and what

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