A Closer Look At Your Child's School Lunch
By Kiki Powers, M.S.
Starting in October 2002, irradiated
meats became featured in many U.S. school lunch programs. Food
manufacturers in the United States are currently allowed to irradiate
raw meat and poultry to control microbial pathogens and began
marketing irradiated beef products in mid 2000.
However, according to Samuel Epstein,
M.D., professor emeritus of environmental and occupational m medicine
at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health,
consumers are wary of irradiated food — and with good reason.
Chemical changes in your
meat
Dr. Epstein explains that irradiated meat is a very different
product from cooked meat and that the ionizing radiation used
during this process significantly alters the chemical make-up
of the meat. These changes include elevated levels of the carcinogenic
chemical benzene and also the production of unique new chemicals
known as radiolytic products — some of which have been implicated
as carcinogens.
Additionally, he asserts that irradiated
food can induce genetic damage in a wide range of studies, including
tests on malnourished children by India's National Institute of
Nutrition.
What can you do?
Several years ago, consumers fought hard to prevent the USDA from
allowing irradiation of organic foods. If you as a parent are
concerned about irradiated meats being served to your child, inquire
whether your school receives USDA reimbursement and ask for organic
options to irradiated food.
In the shorter term, you may wish
to pack a healthy, organic lunch for your child. For 20 simple
and healthy lunch ideas, contact Kiki Powers at kiki@aboutnhs.com.
References
"Schools to Be Allowed to Serve Irradiated Meat,"
Associated Press in New York Times, 10/27/02
Frenzen PD, et al. Consumer acceptance of irradiated meat and
poultry in the United States. J Food Prot 2001 Dec;64(12):2020
© Kiki Powers
Kiki Powers, M.S., is director
of Natural Health Solutions and a national health writer and lecturer.
With a background in health science, research and clinical nutrition,
she specializes in health promotion and disease prevention through
diet and lifestyle changes and advocates natural alternatives
to traditional medications and treatment where appropriate. See
her web site at Natural
Health Solutions.
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