Chapter 21: Current Trends in Food Preservation
These flashcards explain food irradiation, a cold preservation technique where food is exposed to high-energy electromagnetic waves to kill pests and pathogens. It’s FDA-approved for various foods and uses ionizing radiation to produce free radicals that disrupt spoilage. Some fresh foods may be damaged by this process.
What is food irradiation? What kind of preservation method? What is food exposed to?
cold food preservation method in which food is exposed to high-energy electromagnetic waves
Key Terms
What is food irradiation? What kind of preservation method? What is food exposed to?
cold food preservation method in which food is exposed to high-energy electromagnetic waves
How does food move in food irradiation?
from one end of a radiation field to another on a conveyor belt while electromagnetic waves pass through it
What does irradiation kill?
killing insects, and microorganisms
What does the FDA approve irradiation for?
– wheat and wheat flour—to reduce losses to
insects and molds
– white potatoes—to reduce losses from rapid sprouting in storage
– spices a...
What does ionizing radiation cause? Is it a health hazard?
Ions, called free radicals
- No, since the increase of free radicals is no greater than...
Free radicals are unstable. What kind of changes can they create?
chemical changes that kill microorganisms and block some enzymatic reactions
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is food irradiation? What kind of preservation method? What is food exposed to? | cold food preservation method in which food is exposed to high-energy electromagnetic waves |
How does food move in food irradiation? | from one end of a radiation field to another on a conveyor belt while electromagnetic waves pass through it |
What does irradiation kill? | killing insects, and microorganisms |
What does the FDA approve irradiation for? | – wheat and wheat flour—to reduce losses to |
What does ionizing radiation cause? Is it a health hazard? | Ions, called free radicals - No, since the increase of free radicals is no greater than what occurs with other food preservation methods |
Free radicals are unstable. What kind of changes can they create? | chemical changes that kill microorganisms and block some enzymatic reactions |
What kind of foods are damaged by irradiation? | Foods with living cells, such as alfalfa sprouts and oysters |
When food is irradiated, what is produced? Give examples. |
- Carbon dioxide, formic acid, glucose |
Is irradiation considered a food additive? Why? |
- since radiolytic products are produced in the food |
Are there nutritional changes due to irradiation? What is lowered? What is stable? |
- Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and most vitamins remain stable |
When are gamma rays given off? | radioactive material that releases energy as unstable nuclei break down |
What sources do gamma rays come from? | sources that must be stored in specially developed underground storage units |
Name the 2 types of gamma rays used for food irradiation. | – Cobalt-60, the most common – Cesium-137, a by-product of plutonium production |
What are electron beams/E-beams made of? | high-energy electrons or beta particles produced by electronic machinery |
Are E-beams or gamma rays more costly? | E-beams are more costly |
When is radiant energy present with electron beans? | Only present when machines are running |
What is the advantage of E-beams? | No radioactive material needs to be transported or dumped |
What is ultraviolet light used for? Why? | only for surface treatment because it cannot penetrate food |
Do X-rays penetrate food? What can’t they do? | – penetrate food in varying degrees depending on the density – cannot be focused easily |
Name the 3 units of energy. |
|
What does rad mean? | radiation absorbed dose |
Does irradiation increase the radioactivity in foods? | No |
Who regulates facilities using radioactive sources? | The Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
Name some FDA guidelines for controlling irradiation. | – All irradiated foods are tested before they are |
What is group 1 in terms of irradiated product labelling? Do they require a label? | Wheat, wheat flour, spices, herbs, teas, white potatoes, and sprouts |
What is group 2 in terms of irradiated product labelling? Do they require a label? | Whole irradiated foods (meats, poultry, fruits, vegetables)
|
What is group 3 in terms of irradiated product labelling? Do they require a label? |
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The radura label is required only on packaging to ____ | the firsit purchaser |
Meat and poultry industries are allowed to use another term instead of irradiation as long as specific processing treatment criteria are met. What is this term? | Electronically pasteurized |
Does irradiation destroy C. botulinum? | No, but the risk of botulism for irradiated food is no greater than for foods preserved by any other method |