Difficult times demand desperate measures. The atomic energy department is trying its best to ‘sell’ a technology of questionable public value – irradiation for preservation of food. Early this week, BARC scientists donned unfamiliar garb – as consumer educators. At the Mumbai Press Club they attempted to garner support for irradiated foods from the press in a time-tested manner. Journalists were treated to ‘upma’ and other fare which had been treated with/made from irradiated ingredients. Top scientists of the BARC, who are known for keeping their distance from the press, undertook this gastronomic enterprise in what is evidently a desperate attempt to swing public opinion on irradiated foods.
