Radura

Radura is the international symbol indicating that a food product has been treated with ionizing radiation. This process, known as food irradiation, is used to improve food safety and extend shelf life by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects.

Symbol Design

The Radura symbol consists of a green circle with a central dot and two green leaves extending from the dot. The design is intended to represent the process of irradiation, with the central dot symbolizing the source of radiation and the leaves representing the treated food.

Purpose of Food Irradiation

Food irradiation is used for several purposes:

• **Disinfestation**: To eliminate insects from grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• **Sterilization**: To sterilize food for patients with compromised immune systems.
• **Preservation**: To extend the shelf life of perishable items by reducing spoilage organisms.
• **Pathogen Reduction**: To reduce the levels of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Regulatory Approval

The use of the Radura symbol is regulated by various international and national bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. These organizations have established guidelines and standards for the safe use of food irradiation.

Controversy and Public Perception

Despite its benefits, food irradiation has been a subject of controversy. Some consumer groups have raised concerns about the potential health risks and the impact on the nutritional quality of irradiated foods. However, extensive research has shown that food irradiation is safe and does not significantly alter the nutritional value of food.

Related Topics

• Food safety
• Food preservation
• Foodborne illness
• Radiation
• Sterilization (microbiology)

See Also

• Food labeling
• Food technology
• Public health