Contact: Steve Jones, Iowa State News Service,
Phone: (515) 294-4778
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Brian Meyer, Iowa State Agriculture Information
Phone: (515) 294-0706
Email: [email protected]
IOWA STATE TO HOLD SEMINAR/OPEN HOUSE AT FOOD IRRADIATOR FOR MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA
AMES, Iowa -- After several well-publicized meat safety scares in recent years, irradiation was approved late in 1997 for beef, pork and other red meats. What will this mean for food safety? For consumers? For industry?
These topics will be addressed at the Meat Irradiation Media Day, a half-day program for news reporters on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
The program will begin at 9 a.m. in room 133 of the Meat Laboratory at Iowa State. Iowa State's Linear Accelerator Facility (meat irradiator) is the only site in the country for training, demonstration and education on food irradiation.
The Linear Accelerator Facility is a pilot plant housing a commercial-sized food irradiator.
Participants will hear from ISU experts and industry representatives on irradiation's role in food safety, the potential for consumer acceptance and what lies ahead for the technology. Those who attend will get a behind-the-scenes tour of ISU's irradiation facility. They also will compare the taste of irradiated and non-irradiated beef and pork, and try irradiated strawberries.
Reporters and broadcasters will find material for immediate stories as well as useful background on the technology.
To register or get more information, call Brian Meyer at (515) 294-0706 or Steve Jones at (515) 294-4778.
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MEAT IRRADIATION MEDIA DAY TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Wednesday, February 25, 1998
9 a.m.: Welcome, David Topel, dean, College of Agriculture, ISU
9:05 a.m.: An Overview of Irradiation, Dennis Olson, director, Utilization Center for Agricultural Products, ISU
9:30 a.m.: Irradiation's Role in Food Safety, James Dickson, professor of microbiology, immunology & preventive medicine, ISU
9:50 a.m.: Tour of Linear Accelerator Facility and Taste Test of Irradiated Food
10:45 a.m.: Consumer Acceptance of Irradiated Food, Stephen Sapp, associate professor of sociology & Dermot Hayes, professor of economics, both ISU
11:15 a.m.: Perspectives on Irradiation: Nancy Degner, director, consumer information and nutrition, Iowa Beef Industry Council; Spencer Stevens, president, APA, Inc., Omaha (engineering, architectural and consulting firm); and Margaret Hardin, National Pork Producers Council.
11:45 a.m. Food Safety Research from Farm to Table: George Beran, professor-in-charge, Food Safety Consortium, ISU
Noon: Where Do We Go From Here?: Dennis Olson
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