Food iradiation Post

In order to introduce this topic, we read a section from our science textbook explain what for irradiation was, the way we used it, and some of the pros and cons. Afterwards, we discussed the reading in class. We then spilt up into two groups, for irradiation and against it, and looked up information to debate with. I as partnered with Mafia Turner and Luka Jukic to fight against Food irradiation. Once we discussed it, we found that there were many problems regarding this topic. Some of which were that it may cause cancer after a long period of time, but we aren’t completely done studying it so we don’t know all of the effects it has on people. Studies have been shown that animals that ate irradiated food have had problems like premature death, rare form of cancer, liver damage, and vitamin deficiencies. It is also very un- ethical. Food irradiation is caused when food is charged with gamma rays. In order to provide the appropriate environment to do so, governments have to sacrifice millions of dollars, which damages many already broken economies. It is also forcing family farmers out of their business. The big corporations that are domination the food market are no match for local organic farmers, which is now forcing people out of their jobs. Also, it is bad for the environment. The process produces waste, and the way we dispose of it often takes a toll on the earth. Often times, we dispose of the waste by burring it deep under the ground. On top of all that, it’s not 100% successful. The process doesn’t always work and it doesn’t kill off all of the bacteria, including those of which cause mad cow disease. It also kills up to 10% of the healthy vitamins and minerals in your food. But not all of the effects of food irradiation are bad. Every year millions of Americans get sick or doe because of spoiled food. Food irradiation kills up to 99.9 percent of the bad germs that cause illness on food without causing any excess substances in the produce. Although there are risks, it is proved safe by many governments and is legal. Food irradiation is expensive, but the average American wastes around 5-7 billion dollars on spoiled food, and food irradiation is proven to keep food healthy and edible for up to ten days longer by preventing sprouting and ripening in food. We have a long way to go in perfecting the study of food irradiation, but it hasn’t been proven to cause any immediate health risks and irradiated food isn’t proven to be radioactive. Although there are many cons to food irradiation, there are many pro’s to the process as well. This is why we have made a proposal to the government that we feel is a good compromise to both the people that believer there is nothing wrong with irradiation and the side that feels that it is wrong to enhance our produce.

Dear Food and Drug Administration,

The seventh grade students at the International School of Belgrade have recently debated both the pros and cons of food irradiation, and we have come up with a compromise to suit both parties. We feel like before we sell anything edible to consumers, there should have been a complete study testing for both the long and short term effect the product with have on the consumer, the consumers family, and the consumers loved ones. It is only fair that the consumer knows what he/she is eating and the chemical that are going into his/her body. Also, we feel that once all studies are finished, it would only be appropriate to clearly label all irradiated foods. We feel it is also important that wholesome organic food is available at a reasonable price and that the industry of food irradiation doesn’t dominate the produce market. We hope that you will respect our wishes or at least take them into consideration.

Thank you for your time,

-Seventh graders at the International School of Belgrade.

I believe that scientists had very good intentions when working on the field of food irradiation, but it will be the intentions that kill the organic industry. I feel like charging our food with electromagnetic waves is complete abuse of science. Food irradiation was invented so that food would stay fresh longer, therefore making it simpler to package and ship or trade with other states or countries and also to reduce the amount of money spent on spoiled food. And although it does fill its purpose, we are not done studying all of the effects and are not sure what the effect it will have on people is in later life. Not only could it be dangerous, but I have mentioned many of the moral, ethical, and environmental issues it has on people, the economy, and the environment. If I were to have a choice of buying either irradiated food or organic food, I will usually stick with organic foods because I am confident of the chemicals that both me and my family will be eating.