Review of the Safety of Irradiated Foods

<p>The initial phase involved collation of all the relevant publications. A number of information sources were used, as well as direct contact with bodies that had previously commissioned research on the subject and published their findings. Once all relevant publications were collated an analysis was made of the data presented. A composite database was then created to compile the findings into the broad sections of toxicological, microbiological, radiological and packaging safety. A risk based approach was employed whereby studies concerning pathogenic organisms, high risk groups of the population or other high risk activities were considered to be more important. The final stage of the project was the compilation of a literature review that took all the factors into account.</p>