The FDA has announced that it will increase the amount of radiation that can be used to zap food products before they reach the table. Here's some insight from Public Citizen: A recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to increase by 50 percent the maximum radiation dose that can be used to irradiate food raises questions about the health effects of consuming such food and should be reconsidered, Public Citizen told the agency today in a letter. Public Citizen believes the rule should be revoked and is requesting a public hearing. The rule, on which final comments are due today, would significantly boost the dose of X-rays that could be used to irradiate fruit, vegetables, beef, poultry, pork, eggs and spices from 5 million electron volts to 7.5 million electron volts. The higher doses will allow large portions of food – such as shipping containers from overseas – to be irradiated in one blast. The rule may result in some radioactivity in food depending on the energy applied, the type of food and how soon it is eaten after it is irradiated. While the radioactivity is likely to be temporary, questions about its effect on food and consumers remain. The FDA was reckless to not assess cancer risks associated with the new rule, the letter said.