Final answer:
The green radura symbol on food packaging indicates that the food has been irradiated to extend its shelf life, which is a safe process regulated by the FDA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The green radura symbol indicates that a food has been irradiated to lengthen shelf life. This process involves exposing food to ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays from cobalt-60 or cesium-137, to kill microorganisms that cause spoilage and prevent illness.
This treatment is safe and does not make the food itself radioactive. It is regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is required to be clearly labeled on the packaging of irradiated foods.
Foods such as meats, shrimp, lobster, fruits, vegetables, shellfish, and spices may display the radura symbol. It is a technique viewed as superior to pasteurization, insecticides, and preservatives, and has been approved in over 40 countries around the world.