When are They going to start spraying virus on packaged meats?

[run2Jesus]

If you remember some time last year it was reported in the news that meat package companies were going to begin spraying "good" viruses on packaged meat products with the purpose of killing off possible germs. I called the 1-800 numbers of Oscar Mayer, Hormel, etc. and they all pretended like they didn't know what I was talking about. Do any of you remember that story?

[Jamie]

idk but i know its gonna be bad virus!

[light4mypath]

I don't know if they have started it or not ( I assume they have), but can't seem to find any articles stating that they have started spraying the meats. Here are some with info on it for those not familiar with it.

FDA Approves a Spray-on Virus to Keep Processed Meats ''Safe''

More madness from the FDA The FDA has approved a mix of six
bacteria-killing viruses designed to be sprayed on ready-to-eat meat and
poultry products. The viruses, called bacteriophages, kill the Listeria
monocytogenes bacterium. This is the first-ever approval of viruses as a
food additive.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious infection called
listeriosis. About 2,500 people in the United States become seriously ill
with listeriosis each year, and 500 die.

Lunch meats are particularly vulnerable to Listeria because they are
generally not cooked or reheated after purchase.

Consumers will not be informed as to whether their meat and poultry
products have been treated with the spray. Intralytix, the company that
produces the virus spray, also plans to seek FDA approval for another
bacteriophage product, this one designed to kill E. coli bacteria.


Link to Full Article (http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Misc/misc.health.alternative/2006-09/msg00207.html)

A Couple more links:

FDA Approves Controversial Spray-On Viruses For Deli Meats (http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=5684)

FDA Oks Spray-On Virus Additives for Meat (http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0002387/42/)

FDA Approval of Listeria-specific Bacteriophage Preparation on Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Products (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opabacqa.html)

FDA extends GRAS approval for Listex[TM] to all food products (http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/171295656.html)

[seekingtruth1]

I hoep organc growers can get around this! the fDA banned raw almonds this year b/c tehy said a few people in CA got salmonella. So now we get pasturized or sprayed almonds with a chemical even if they are labeled organic...which destroys the healtful properties and psooibly exposes us to a toxin. Funny thing Raw almonds are very anti-cancer. Along with raw brazil nuts - perhaps they will take those away too!


I don't know if they have started it or not ( I assume they have), but can't seem to find any articles stating that they have started spraying the meats. Here are some with info on it for those not familiar with it.



Link to Full Article (http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Misc/misc.health.alternative/2006-09/msg00207.html)

A Couple more links:

FDA Approves Controversial Spray-On Viruses For Deli Meats (http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=5684)

FDA Oks Spray-On Virus Additives for Meat (http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0002387/42/)

FDA Approval of Listeria-specific Bacteriophage Preparation on Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Products (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opabacqa.html)

FDA extends GRAS approval for Listex[TM] to all food products (http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/171295656.html)

[light4mypath]

I am glad we are rural, and hunt our meat, as well as buy from the local Amish. If we ever get this house redone we are looking to buy 40+ acres so that we can be totally self sufficient. We did have small farm stock (goats, ducks, and rabbits) but got rid of them to concentrate on getting this house finished off, to further our goals. But even with raising your own meat, then you have to deal with NAIS (for farm stock) and even PAWS (for domestic animals). Which that is a topic for another thread, but it all boils down to control. Control of what we consume and how we consume it. What they deem it should be. Nothing like being dictated to :rolleyes

[Sealed]

I don't know why they just won't irradiate the food. That would take care of it all. From what I have read it is perfectly safe.
http://www.acsh.org/

I subscribe to this and I read about it in there awhile back.

[light4mypath]

I wouldn't food that has treated with radiation.....:tsk

[Sealed]

As long as there is no residual radiation, there should not be a problem.

[light4mypath]

I would have to further study it before giving a heartfelt opinion on it.

Questions and Answers About Irradiation (http://www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/irradbro.html)
What is food irradiation?

Food irradiation is a process in which food products are exposed to a controlled amount of radiant energy to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, Campylo-bacter, and Salmonella. The process also can control insects and parasites, reduce spoilage, and inhibit ripening and sprouting.

Is irradiated food safe?

Yes. The Food and Drug Administration has evaluated the safety of this technology over the last 40 years and has found irradiation to be safe under a variety of conditions and has approved its use for many foods. Scientific studies have shown that irradiation does not significantly reduce nutritional quality or significantly change food taste, texture or appearance. Irradiated foods do not be-come radioactive. Irradiation can produce changes in food, similar to changes caused by cooking, but in smaller amounts.

How does irradiation work?

Food is packed in containers and moved by conveyer belt into a shielded room. There the food is exposed briefly to a radiant-energy source the amount of energy depends on the food. Energy waves passing through the food break molecular bonds in the DNA of bacteria, other pathogens, and insects. These organisms die or, unable to reproduce, their numbers are held down. Food is left virtually unchanged, but the number of harmful bacteria, parasites and fungi is reduced and may be eliminated.

How do I know if food has been irradiated?

FDA currently requires that irradiated foods include labeling with either the statement "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation" and the international symbol for irradiation, the radura (pictured at the top of this document).

Are irradiated foods available now?

Not widely yet. Some stores have sold irradiated fruits and vegetables since the early 1990s. Irradiated poultry is available in some grocery storesmostly small, independent marketsand on menus of a few restaurants.

On the other hand, some spices sold wholesale in this country are irradiated, which eliminates the need for chemical fumigation to control pests. American astronauts have eaten irradiated foods in space since the early 1970s. Patients with weakened immune systems are sometimes fed irradiated foods to reduce the chance of a life-threatening infection.

Are food irradiation facilities safe for workers and surrounding communities?

Yes. The transport and handling of radioactive material is strictly regulated, and irradiation facilities are made to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes. The radioactive cobalt commonly used is made specially to serve as a safe radiation source for hospitals and irradiation facilities. Workers in irradiation plants are protected by thick walls surrounding the radiation source. If workers need to enter the irradiating room, the energy source is lowered into a pool of water that absorbs the radiation and protects the workers from any exposure. In electron beam facilities, the energy source is turned off. There are about 30 licensed irradiation facilities in the United States, used mainly to sterilize medical equipment, many consumer products, and, in some cases, food.

Will irradiated foods cost more?

Irradiated products sold to date have cost slightly more than their conventional counterparts. Some industry experts estimate the increase at two to three cents per pound for fruits and vegetables and three to five cents a pound for meat and poultry products. But these costs may be offset by advantages such as keeping a product fresh longer and enhancing its safety. Food trade groups say that as irradiated foods become more widespread, their cost is likely to drop.