Atomic Bomb food tastes off
May 1955: Food tasters sampled a meal of French fries, vegetables, strawberries, chicken pot pie, cod fish fillets, and orange juice taken from a freezer buried 1,270 feet from an atomic bomb blast. While all the food was deemed edible, they said the orange juice and pie were noticeably "off flavor."
It's unclear why the food tasted off. Radiation shouldn't have changed the taste of the food. It was probably because they were told where it was from and their expectations led them to believe it tasted different. The researchers should have conducted a blind taste test.
It's unclear why the food tasted off. Radiation shouldn't have changed the taste of the food. It was probably because they were told where it was from and their expectations led them to believe it tasted different. The researchers should have conducted a blind taste test.
Tampa Bay Times - May 11, 1955
Reno Gazette-Journal - May 12, 1955
Comments
Exposure to radiation does not make it radioactive.
Posted by Jim on 11/26/24 at 11:40 AM
It's interesting how expectations can influence our perception of taste, as seen in the food tasting experiment after the atomic bomb blast. The researchers likely overlooked the power of the placebo effect. If the tasters had been unaware of the food's origin, they might have had a different experience. It’s a great reminder of how important context is in our sensory experiences.
Speaking of taste, Mild hot sauce is a perfect example of how a little spice can enhance flavors without overwhelming them. Its balance of heat and tang adds just the right kick to many dishes, making it a versatile condiment for those who enjoy a milder spice.
Speaking of taste, Mild hot sauce is a perfect example of how a little spice can enhance flavors without overwhelming them. Its balance of heat and tang adds just the right kick to many dishes, making it a versatile condiment for those who enjoy a milder spice.
Posted by Jack on 12/05/24 at 07:27 AM
In the mid-70s, a company which x-rayed steel castings for cracks, inclusions, etc. was 'asked' by the authorities to examine pallets of food from a shipment confiscated from a smuggling operation. They were told that anything which came out clean was to be destroyed because the effects of radiation on the linings of the cans could taint the contents.
I don't know the exact differences in radiation from a nuclear weapon and an x-ray machine which could see a grain of sand inside a 1.5" piece of cast steel, but I have to think there are parallels.
I don't know the exact differences in radiation from a nuclear weapon and an x-ray machine which could see a grain of sand inside a 1.5" piece of cast steel, but I have to think there are parallels.
Posted by Phideaux on 12/05/24 at 02:27 PM
Category: Food | Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | 1950s