Food irradiation linked to jerky-treats illnesses
The recently posted issue of dogs developing acute kidney disease (Fanconi syndrome) from meat jerky treats imported from China may be due to such products being subjected to irradiation. Meat-based treats imported from Canada and Germany are also subjected to irradiation. According to the Center for Food Safety:
“Food irradiation uses high-energy gamma rays, electron beams or X-rays (all of which are millions of times more powerful than standard medical X-rays) to break apart the bacteria and insects that can hide in meat, grains and other foods. Radiation can do strange things to food, by creating substances called ‘unique radiolytic products.’ These irradiation byproducts include a variety of mutagens (substances that can cause gene mutations), polyploidy
(an abnormal condition in which cells contain more than two sets of chromosomes), chromosome aberrations (often associated with cancerous cells) and dominant lethal mutations (a change in a cell that prevents it from reproducing) in human cells. Making matters worse, many mutagens are also carcinogens.
“Research also shows that irradiation forms volatile toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene — chemicals known, or suspected, to cause cancer and birth defects. Irradiation also causes stunted growth in lab animals fed irradiated foods. An important 2001 study linked colon tumor promotion in lab rats to 2-alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs), a new chemical compound found only in irradiated foods. The FDA has never tested the safety of these byproducts. Irradiation has also been shown to cause the low-level production of furans (similar to cancercausing dioxins) in fruit juice.”
Essentially, food irradiation creates “mummified” food, killing off bacteria that cause spoilage (a natural process) to prolong shelf-life. It’s done primarily for financial, rather than health, reasons. Endotoxins, which can cause illness and death, are produced by some bacteria prior to irradiation; they remain in the various animal parts recycled into pet foods, and are not destroyed by irradiation.
As I reported in 2009, cats in Australia developed neurological problems from being fed an irradiated brand of imported cat food. Consumers beware. As with the “GMO-free” label that manufacturers and allied government agencies have sought to prohibit, all foods, beverages and ingredients that have been subjected to irradiation should be labeled as such, and countries of origin should be indicated, as well. At this time, it is best to avoid all pet foods and treats not manufactured in the U.S. And avoid products with evasive phrases like “manufactured for” or “distributed by” on their labels.