eNewsletter, March 2011

Concerned About Radiation in Food? Here are Some Facts to Consider...

by Michael Payne

WIFSS has received several calls from media and consumers asking whether the Japanese nuclear reactor accident could affect the US food supply, in particular dairy products. The most important message for consumers is that our domestic food safety remains unaffected by events in Japan but, in an abundance of caution, state and federal regulatory agencies are aggressively monitoring our air, water and food. 

Other useful information includes:

• It’s important to remember that reactor accident occurred more than 5 thousand miles from the western coast of the United States.
• Theoretical dispersion models by EPA predict that that fallout will not substantively raise background levels of radiation in the United States or its territories.
• However, to be on the safe side, federal agencies are monitoring air, rain, drinking water and milk through its RadNet system
• Relative to imported food, FDA has released a fact sheet describing the systems in place protecting the US food supply

On the question of potassium iodide supplements:

Due to public concern there is an increased demand for potassium iodide which is used to prevent and treat harmful effects of radiation in people actually exposed. The FDA is not currently recommending that residents of the United States or its territories take potassium iodide, even as a preventative measure. Potassium iodide is only appropriate within close proximity to a nuclear event and inappropriate use can have adverse side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding. Poison control centers have in fact already reported illnesses in people overdosing potassium iodide. In addition, the FDA is alerting consumers to be wary of internet sites and other retail outlets promoting products making false claims to prevent or treat effects of radiation or products that are not FDA-approved. These fraudulent products come in all varieties including dietary supplements, food items, or other products. For more information which puts radiation risk in perspective, visit the California Department of Health Services Questions & Answers page.

European Commission Visits WIFSS

March 28, 2011
Davis, CA

Dr. Marco Valletta, Assistant to the Director General, Directorate General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission (SANCO), visited WIFSS. He is responsible for overall coordination of the activities of SANCO in the fields of food safety, food and veterinary controls, consumer affairs, public health, risk assessment and animal health and welfare. He also manages institutional relations with the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

Dr. Valletta was invited to the United States by the Department of State (DOS) under the auspices of the DOS’ International Visitor Leadership Program. Objectives of his visit were to examine broad issues including US-EU trade policy, agriculture, food safety, biotechnology, animal husbandry and so on. Requested by the International Program Office of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, Rob Atwill and Xunde Li met Dr. Valletta and discussed current trends of microbial safety of produce in the US and EU. He took particular interest in the proposed Produce Safety Rule being developed by FDA.

Drs. Valletta (left) and Atwill

Sacramento and El Dorado County Master Food Preservers

March 5 and 22, 2011
Sacramento, CA and Placerville, CA

Master Food Preservers is a UC Cooperative Extension affiliated volunteer program that offers courses to the public on home food preservation.  Linda Harris provided about 4 hours of lecture on the principles of home preservation and food safety. 

The interest in home food preservation has increased in recent years and the volunteers provide an important service in educating the public on safe methods.  Additional information on home preservation can be found here.