• Oil, Natural Gas, and Electric Deregulation



• Stopping the Nuclear Relapse



• Interactive Map of Proposed New Reactors



• The Case Against Nuclear Power



• The Case for Renewables and Efficiency



• Energy Legislation



• Press Room



• Congressional Voting Records



• Take Action!

Which School Districts and States Have Decided on Irradiated Foods?

The National School Lunch program involves several levels of government.  State departments of education purchase commodity products (which now include irradiated ground beef) from the federal government (USDA) and offer it through their statewide distribution system to individual school districts.  If the state decides not to carry irradiated ground beef, local schools will not be able to receive this product through the National School Lunch Program – but they could purchase it on their own from another source.

During the summer of 2004, we called all 50 states to find out if they planned to carry irradiated ground beef in their state’s commodity distribution program.  Many of the states told us that there is not enough demand for the product to justify carrying it.  Some states did not respond to our calls. 

Following the list of state decisions is a list of school districts which have adopted official policies on irradiated foods.  Many more school systems have decided not to use the product – but this list is of those areas where the school board has taken the time to pass a formal policy or resolution.

If your school district has banned irradiated meat and is not on our list, please contact us.

Click here to find out what you can do to keep irradiated food out of your local schools!   

(Page updated on January 26, 2005)

more resources

Because Public Citizen does not accept funds from corporations, professional associations or government agencies, we can remain independent and follow the truth wherever it may lead. But that means we depend on the generosity of concerned citizens like you for the resources to fight on behalf of the public interest. If you would like to help us in our fight, click here.