Can an irradiated product be labeled as “natural” or “certified Organic by (a certifying entity)?
No. The term “natural” can not be used since FSIS considers irradiation to be more than minimal processing. Thus, such products would not meet the “natural” criteria established by Policy Memo 55. Regarding the use of “certified Organic by (a certifying entity),” we are not aware of any organization providing organic certification that allows the use of irradiation. Further, on March 13, 2000, AMS issued a re-proposed regulation on organic agricultural products which does not permit the use of irradiation on products labeled “organic.” Why will USDA be offering irradiated ground beef for distribution in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)? The 2002 Farm Bill states that USDA “shall not prohibit the use of any technology to improve food safety that has been approved by the Secretary of Agriculture or has been approved or is otherwise allowed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services” for use in various commodity purchase programs. This includes irradiation.
No. The term “natural” can not be used since FSIS considers irradiation to be more than minimal processing. Thus, such products would not meet the “natural” criteria established by Policy Memo 55. Regarding the use of “certified Organic by (a certifying entity),” we are not aware of any organization providing organic certification that allows the use of irradiation. Further, on March 13, 2000, AMS issued a re-proposed regulation on organic agricultural products which does not permit the use of irradiation on products labeled “organic.” Why will USDA be offering irradiated ground beef for distribution in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)? The 2002 Farm Bill states that USDA “shall not prohibit the use of any technology to improve food safety that has been approved by the Secretary of Agriculture or has been approved or is otherwise allowed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services” for use in various commodity purchase programs. This includes irradiation. Protecting the publi
