Irradiated beef hits Cape grocery store

Schnucks this week became the area's first grocer to sell irradiated ground beef, a specially treated meat that proponents say greatly reduces bacteria and the risk of health problems like salmonella and E. coli.

Employees placed fresh, 1-pound ground beef packages and boxes of frozen beef patties that were exposed to beams of bacteria-killing electrons on Schnucks' shelves Sunday, said store manager Dennis Marchi. The meat was irradiated by SureBeam Corp. in San Diego and costs 10 to 20 cents more per pound than regular meat.

"It's a very, very safe process," Marchi said. "We still have all the beef that's ground in the store. This is just a wonderful technology that really provides another choice for our customers."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control have all agreed that the process is safe. But some critics aren't convinced, saying there is some evidence that the treated meat could be harmful to consumers, possibly even causing cancer.

"There is plenty of evidence to show there are concerns about health impacts," said Patty Lovera, a spokeswoman with Washington-based Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group founded by Ralph Nader. "The federal government has been brushing those concerns under the rug."

Lovera cited studies that she claims show that the irradiation process causes new chemical reactions, creating, among other compounds, cyclobutanones, which have been linked to cancer.

Another concern, she said, is that the process may cause the meat industry to slide on its health practices. The focus should be on preventing bacteria from getting on the meat in the first place, she said.

'Absolutely no negative'

Proponents of the process, however, say that the process not only kills bacteria but also extends shelf life and kills insects. On the heels of a year that saw the largest and third-largest meat recalls in U.S. history, proponents also say it is the perfect time to provide another barrier of protection against bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, especially among children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

"I've heard about the controversy, and there is absolutely no negative to the consumer," said Bill Ellis, an agriculture professor at Southeast Missouri State University. "It's beneficial. It's another program to bring higher quality food to the consumers. There is absolutely nothing for the consumer to fear."

SureBeam, which supplies much of the irradiated ground beef sold in supermarkets, shipped about 16 million pounds of fresh beef in 2002. The company estimates it will produce 350 million pounds this year. That's still a sliver of the 9.8 billion pounds of ground beef sold annually.

The company said the word "irradiation" may be problematic.

"I think the word 'irradiation' is a badge of honor," company president Richard Hunter said recently. "But consumers would be more accepting if it said something else."

Shopper reactions at Schnucks on Monday were mixed.

"I think it sounds safe," said Alfredia Campbell of Cape Girardeau. "I'd buy it. If it makes food safer, I'm all for it."

Mary Robinson, however, didn't like the sound of it.

"I'd be a little leery," the Cape Girardeau resident said. "I don't want artificial things done to it. Plus, it's more expensive, and I'm on a tight budget."

Marchi said some people always resist new technology they don't understand.

"When milk was first pasteurized, it was a big deal," he said. "Now nobody even thinks about it. It just makes it safer."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

On the Net

Schnucks: www.schnucks.com

Irradiation information: www.surebeam.com

Organic Consumers Association: www.organicconsumers.org

Cancer Prevention Coalition: www.preventcancer.com