WASHINGTON – It's no longer of a question of where the beef is. Now consumers want to know where it's been, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.

More than half of American consumers surveyed by the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network recently were willing to buy irradiated meat and poultry, but only a quarter were willing to pay extra for the products, which cost more to produce than non-irradiated products. Gamma rays, electron beams or X-rays are used to destroy bacteria on irradiated meat and poultry.

According to the study, the impact of irradiated foods will be limited unless consumer preferences change.

–Jeff VanPelt