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Food safety
The spinmeisters are at it again, trying to avoid the "R" word in any way possible. I was asked about this article at Science Daily Magazine http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/11/991109072728.htm
The article contains no falshoods, but has an interesting spin to aboid describing the process as a radiation treatment. quoted in part below:
. . .. Unklesbay has been the principal food scientist for the development
of electron beam, or "E-beam," technology since 1995. That is when
electrical engineering professor Randy Curry came to MU, bringing
with him an accelerator. The high-powered accelerator is a type of
cathode ray tube, similar to that found in a conventional television set.
. . .. In essence, the process of cold pasteurization is relatively simple.
Once the linear accelerator is activated, electrons are accelerated
down a tube. With a flip of a switch, the accelerator then propels the
electrons at high speeds, creating an "E-beam." When this invisible
beam hits the E. coli, it interacts with the microbe's DNA, deactivating it.
. . .. "At first, cold pasteurized products at the grocery store will be
labeled as 'irradiated,' but the term should not worry consumers. It is
simply the term that the USDA requires," Unklesbay said. "The
process is non-nuclear, and we're working to have cold pasteurized
products labeled as such to avoid confusion." Curry believes new
accelerators will make the process less expensive to commercialize.. . .
When is a beta not a beta? When its a cold pasturization process. I guess form does follow function.
Just my thotz after having to explain to a confused person.
Zack Clayton
Ohio EPA - DERR
email: zack.clayton@epa.state.oh.us
voice: 614-644-3066
fax: 614-460-8249
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