Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Information Alert--Irradiated Beef

Nutrition Services Division

Program: Food Distribution Program

Date: March 2005

To: Food Distribution Program Recipient Agencies
Attention: Food Program (or Service) Director
Subject: United States Department of Agriculture Irradiated Commodity Ground Beef
Reference: Management Bulletin 04-402

In school year 2005-06, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be offering irradiated commodity ground beef to recipient agencies in two forms:

  • Irradiated Beef 40 (Commodity Code A579)
  • Irradiated Beef Patties (Commodity Code A578)

As part of the 2002 Farm Bill, Congress directed the USDA to permit the use of approved food safety technologies for commodities purchased for the federal feeding programs. Irradiation is one of those approved technologies. Irradiated commodity ground beef is now available in addition to non-irradiated ground beef. Irradiated food products distributed to recipient agencies are labeled with a symbol or other printed notice that indicates that the product was irradiated and will be prominently displayed in a clear and understandable format on the container.

Section 118 of the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 includes instructions for irradiated food products distributed to the federal school meal programs. The guidelines for recipient agencies are as follows:

  • Irradiated food products are not to be co-mingled with food products that are not irradiated.
  • Irradiated food products are to be labeled as irradiated for consumers.
  • Agencies that offer irradiated food products are encouraged to offer alternatives to irradiated food products as part of the meal plan.

Additionally, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is encouraging recipient agencies to conduct informational and educational activities so that they may make an informed choice on whether or not to order irradiated ground beef as part of their food safety interventions. The FNS Food Distribution Irradiation Home Page located at Irradiation Requirements in "The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004" External link opens in new window or tab. "Frequently Asked Questions," press releases, notices about USDA's plans and policies for purchasing irradiated meat, and links to other federal Web sites offering information on irradiation.

If you have any questions regarding this information alert, please contact the Food Distribution Program by email at FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov or by phone at 916-324-7132.

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | 916-324-7132
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Related Content
  • Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
    Resources and information regarding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution Program requirements and operations.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • CNAC Minutes for the November 2, 2023 Meeting (added 31-Jul-2025)
    Meeting minutes for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) on November 2, 2023.
  • Next Steps: 2025–26 FFVP Grant Recipients (added 30-Jul-2025)
    On July 28, 2025, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2025–26 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2025–September 30, 2025.
  • Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ground Beef (added 30-Jul-2025)
    Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
  • 2025–26 FFVP Grant Recipient Announcement (added 29-Jul-2025)
    On July 28, 2025, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2025–26 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2025–September 30, 2025.
  • CEP Application and Mandatory P2 Base Year Review (added 28-Jul-2025)
    Provides guidance to school food authorities on how to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision and on the mandatory review of the Provision 2 base year.

  • Appeal Process for Grants (added 24-Jul-2025)
    This web page provides and overview and timeline for the appeal process for grants in California associated with the Child Nutrition Programs administered by the California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division.
  • Mandatory Review of Provision 2 Base Year (added 23-Jul-2025)
    This management bulletin provides guidance regarding the mandated review of school food authorities participating in Provision 2.
  • Noncongregate Waivers for Unanticipated Closures (added 23-Jul-2025)
    Noncongregate Waivers for Unanticipated School Closures SY 2025-26
  • California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference (added 21-Jul-2025)
    Join California Agriculture in the Classroom at the 38th Annual Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to gain hands-on tools, resources, and inspiration to integrate agriculture into every subject.
  • Food Safety Inspection for School Year 2024–25 (added 15-Jul-2025)
    LEAs participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must complete the SY 2024-25 Food Safety Inspection Survey.