The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing a food-contact notification for use of irradiation with ethylene vinyl alcohol, a substance used in plastic packaging films. It was submitted by the National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST). By law, the FDA must now complete review of the notification within 120 days and determine if it becomes "effective" or if more safety data is needed. If the FDA does not object, the use of EVOH will be allowed for use with irradiation. "We hope this is going to crack things open for irradiation," NCFST's George Sadler, author of the notification, told Food Chemical News Daily. "This notification is significant because it is a vanguard for many coming submissions over the next few months that will greatly liberalise the selection of polymers available for pre-packaged foods intended for irradiation," he added. Should this notification become effective, the food industry would be able to use the polymer at up to 7 mils in high barrier films, which is the principle oxygen barrier in most plastic packaging and is frequently used in packaged meat.
