ARS | Publication request: IRRADIATED GROUND BEEF FOR NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2005
Publication Date: June 15, 2006
Citation: Fan, X. 2006. Irradiated ground beef for national school lunch program. In Sommers, C.H., Fan. X., editors. Food Irradiation Research and Technology. Ames, Iowa. IFT Press/Blackwell Publishing. p. 237-248.

Technical Abstract: Providing safe food to school children is very important because children have a high risk of complications from some foodborne illnesses and the number of illnesses per outbreak is high due to the school environment. To improve food safety in schools, purchasing and distributing irradiated food products, such as ground beef, has been recommended. This book chapter provided background information on National School Lunch Program, and reviewed the importance of providing safe foods in schools, the specifications of irradiated ground beef, and sensory attributes of irradiated beef. Original research on sensory evaluation of irradiated ground beef after 12 months storage at -18 C was also first reported.