In the first rule, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of a 4.5 kilogray (kGy) maximum absorbed dose of ionising radiation to treat unrefrigerated (as well as refrigerated) uncooked meat, meat byproducts and certain meat food products to reduce levels of foodborne pathogens and extend shelf life.

In a second rule, FDA is amending the food additive regulations to increase the maximum dose of ionising radiation permitted in the treatment of poultry products - from 3.0kGy to 4.5kGy - to include specific language intended to clarify the poultry products covered by the regulations, and to remove the limitation that any packaging used during irradiation of poultry shall not exclude oxygen.

These actions are in response to a petition filed by the US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS).

The rules became effective on 30 November 2012.

Electronic or written objections and requests for a hearing may be submitted by 31 December 2012.

In the US, all meat that has been irradiated must be labelled according to FDA requirements.