FDA Increases Allowable Irradiation Doses in Meat, Poultry Products

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced two final rules increasing the maximum allowable dosage of irradiation in meat and poultry products became effective Nov. 30, 2012. The agency has set Dec. 31, 2012, as the final day to submit hearing requests or objections due to the rules.

For meat products, the agency is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of a 4.5 kilogray (kGy) maximum absorbed dose of ionizing radiation to treat unrefrigerated (as well as refrigerated) uncooked meat, meat byproducts, and certain meat food products to reduce levels of foodborne pathogens and extend shelf life.

For poultry products, the agency is amending the food additive regulations to increase the maximum dose of ionizing radiation permitted in the treatment of poultry products to include specific language intended to clarify the poultry products covered by the regulations, and to remove the limitation that any packaging used during irradiation of poultry shall not exclude oxygen.

Both rules are in response to petitions filed in 199 by USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).