Swallow A J
Cancer Research Campaign Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Patterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital & Holt Radium Institute, Manchester, England.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 1991;289:11-31. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4899-2626-5_2.
Irradiation with gamma-rays, X-rays or fast electrons can be used to change foodstuffs in beneficial ways or to destroy harmful organisms. Gamma rays do not induce radioactivity in foods, but X-rays and fast electrons can induce short lived radioactivity if sufficiently energetic. This imposes limitations on the energies which can be used, and a short wait between irradiation and consumption may be advisable. Irradiation produces chemical changes in foodstuffs, and some foods are unsuitable for irradiation. With appropriate foods, trials with animals and human volunteers generally show that the product is safe. Some loss in nutritional quality can take place, which could be significant for some individuals, but are unlikely to be important for those on a balanced diet. Irradiation does not eliminate all risk from microbial contamination. Foods to be irradiated should be good quality, and need to be kept under proper conditions after irradiation. Irradiated foods should be appropriately labelled. Tests for radiation would help to enforce necessary controls. If the process is properly carried out on appropriate foods, and all due precautions are taken, irradiated foods are wholesome and safe.
用伽马射线、X射线或快速电子进行辐照可用于以有益方式改变食品或消灭有害生物。伽马射线不会使食品产生放射性，但如果能量足够高，X射线和快速电子会诱发短暂的放射性。这对可使用的能量施加了限制，并且在辐照和食用之间短暂等待可能是明智的。辐照会使食品产生化学变化，有些食品不适合辐照。对于合适的食品，在动物和人类志愿者身上进行的试验通常表明该产品是安全的。营养质量可能会有一些损失，这对某些个体可能很显著，但对于饮食均衡的人来说不太可能很重要。辐照并不能消除微生物污染带来的所有风险。待辐照的食品应该质量良好，辐照后需要保存在适当条件下。辐照食品应该有适当的标签。辐射检测将有助于实施必要的管控。如果在合适的食品上正确进行该过程，并采取了所有应有的预防措施，辐照食品是有益健康且安全的。
