proposed amendment to the food and drug regulations 1094 food irradiation available in english and french pages 3502-3510 treatment of foods with ionizing radiation called food irradiation is one process which can be used during food production to reduce bacterial load and hence improve food safety prevent spoilage and control insect infestation in food commodities. provisions currently exist in the food and drug regulations for the use of the irradiation process on a limited number of foods. the table to division 26 of the regulations lists the foods that can be irradiated and the respective purpose and conditions of use for each product. at the present time food irradiation is permitted on potatoes and onions to inhibit sprouting during storage on wheat flour and whole wheat flour to control insect infestation during storage and on whole or ground spices and dehydrated seasoning preparations to reduce microbial load. health canada has received several submissions to irradiate fresh and frozen ground beef fresh and frozen poultry and prepackaged fresh frozen prepared and dried shrim and prawns to control pathogens reduce microbial load and to extend durable shelf life. a submission has also been presented to irradiate mangoes as a disinfestation treatment to control fruit flies and the mango seed weevil. scientists in health canada have reviewed the data provided in the submission as well as those found in numerous other scientific literature sources in order to determine whether these new proposed uses of the food irradiation process met regulatory requirements for safety and effectiveness. it has been concluded that - the consumption of the irradiated foods would not result in any risk to the health of the consumer - the irradiation of the foods would not result in destruction or loss of nutrients in a food recognized as a significant source of those nutrients in the diet and - the proposed uses of food irradiation could be beneficial through improved safety of the food products resulting from enhanced control of pathogens or reduction in insect infestation. therefore health canada proposes to recommend amendments to the table to division 26 of the regulations to permit the new applications of the food irradiation process as listed above