Questions and Answers about Final Rule on
Irradiation of Fresh Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach

• What does this final rule change in the food additive regulations?

  This final rule amends the food additive regulations to permit the use of irradiation (also called ionizing radiation) to treat fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach at the maximum absorbed dose of 4.0 kGy.

  Today’s announcement is a partial response to a food additive petition that was filed by the National Food Processors Association (now Grocery Manufacturers’ Association or GMA) in 2000. That petition also covered the irradiation of pre-processed meat and poultry, raw and pre-processed vegetables and fruits, and other multi-ingredient products containing cooked or uncooked meat or poultry.  In 2007, GMA asked FDA for a partial response on the question of the irradiation of fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach. The remainder of the petition remains under review.

  The FDA has been evaluating the safety of irradiation in various foods for more than 40 years.

• Is the irradiation of iceberg lettuce and spinach safe?

  Yes.  Irradiation is used to reduce the level of potentially dangerous microbial pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, and to extend the shelf life of foods. The FDA has assessed the safety of this use of irradiation and has concluded that it will not adversely affect the safety of these products.

• Will all fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach have to be irradiated?

  No. Irradiation is voluntary.

• Can bagged iceberg lettuce and spinach be irradiated?

  Yes, bagged iceberg lettuce and spinach can be irradiated as long as certain conditions are met (e.g., the bagging material in which the iceberg lettuce and spinach are irradiated is approved for that use).

• Does this mean that consumers can eat bagged iceberg lettuce and spinach without first washing the product?

  The FDA recommends the washing of all bagged produce prior to consumption, unless the packaging specifically states that the product has been prewashed.

• Will these products carry a label that specifies that they have been irradiated?

  Yes. Fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach that has been irradiated must bear the “radura” logo along with either the statement “Treated with radiation” or “Treated by irradiation.”

• Why just iceberg lettuce? Why not other types of lettuce?

  The GMA specifically requested that FDA focus on fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach in this partial response to its petition.  The safety of irradiation of other types of lettuce remains under review.

• Are there other foods that are treated with irradiation?

  Yes. The FDA also allows the use of irradiation on a variety of foods including, for example, meat and poultry, molluscan shellfish, and spices.

• Can tomatoes or peppers be irradiated under this rule?

  No. This regulation applies only to fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach.

• Is the FDA examining the use of irradiation in other foods, such as tomatoes and peppers?

  Although this announcement only applies to fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach, other fresh produce, such as tomatoes or peppers, are included in the GMA petition and remain under review. The FDA continues to evaluate the safe use of irradiation in additional foods.