USDA has been receiving inquiries from
schools and commodity processors that only irradiated ground beef will be
available next year. This is NOT the case. Irradiated beef will be offered as
an option for schools. If South Dakota orders any of the product the decision
will be based on demand/input from schools.
USDA purchased irradiated beef could
be ten to twenty cents higher per pound than regular ground beef. Due to these
price considerations if any of the irradiated beef was ordered it would be in
limited quality. It is anticipated that the majority (if not all) of the
orders placed for beef next year will be for the “regular” fine grind beef.
For more information on irradiation
click on the radura (which is the international irradiation logo), or on the
link below the symbol.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/foodsafety/irradiation.htm
