Sterigenics U.S., LLC; Filing of Food Additive Petition
Key claim: The FDA has filed a food additive petition from Sterigenics U.S., LLC proposing to amend food additive regulations to allow ionizing radiation for pathogen reduction in raw enriched wheat flour.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing that we have filed a food additive petition, submitted by Sterigenics U.S., LLC, proposing that we amend our food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for the reduction of pathogens in raw enriched wheat flour.
Why this matters
Raw flour has been linked to multiple E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks, and FDA approval of irradiation for enriched wheat flour would give millers a new pathogen-reduction tool without cooking. For consumers, the tradeoff is potentially lower foodborne illness risk against mandatory irradiation labeling that some shoppers avoid; for farmers and processors, costs and market acceptance remain open questions pending the comment period.