On October 27 the New York Times published a story from the Associated Press newswire stating that the USDA had approved the used of irradiated meat in the national School Lunch Program. We here at ACSH applauded the move, since it would help protect some of the most vulnerable parts of the population from bacterial contamination of meats. We even posted a press release to that effect. But don't look for the press release today we had to take it down, because the AP story wasn't true.
The real situation, according to authorities at the USDA, is somewhat different. The USDA provides about 20% of the meat used in the School Lunch Program. Until passage of last year's farm bill, they were not allowed to use irradiated beef. But the farm bill specified that USDA must take into account (allow) all valid technologies to protect food safety.
Authorities at USDA are presently reviewing their regulations and expect to have their new rules ready by the end of the year. Even when that process is completed, however, schools will not have to use irradiated meat that decision most likely will be made at the local or district level. So irradiated meat may be coming to a school near you.
We at ACSH think that providing even the opportunity to use irradiated products is a step in the right direction, adding another layer of safety to children's food.