Irradiation

Irradiation is a food sanitizing and preservation method that uses high-energy ionizing radiation to reduce the number of microorganisms present in food. This process does not completely eliminate microorganisms or protect treated food from future contamination (due to poor handling practices), but it kills the majority of offensive bacteria in foods. Critics, including Three Rivers Market, believe irradiation is not a solution to food-borne illness. It is simply a distraction for the unsanitary conditions of the industrialized food system and does not address the root causes of contamination.

Three Rivers Market avoids irradiated foods when possible, due to our concerns for quality and safety.

Source: Frontier Natural Products Co-op, PCC