Non-Irradiated Organic Spices
Non-Irradiated Organic Spices
The short answer: Every Smith & Truslow spice, herb and seasoning blend is USDA certified organic, and USDA organic rules prohibit irradiation. They also prohibit chemical fumigants such as ethylene oxide. So nothing we sell is irradiated or chemically fumigated. Instead, our spices and herbs are steam sterilized.
What Is Spice Irradiation?
Irradiation exposes food to ionizing radiation to kill bacteria, mold and insects. The FDA allows it for spices and seasonings, and spices are one of its most common uses, because they're often dried outdoors in warm climates where microbes thrive. Conventional spices may also be treated with chemical fumigants like ethylene oxide for the same reason.
Why Organic Means Non-Irradiated
The USDA National Organic Program regulations (7 CFR §205.105) prohibit ionizing radiation for any product sold or labeled as organic. The USDA also states that all known fumigants are prohibited under the organic regulations, and that an irradiated or fumigated product can no longer be sold as organic in the U.S.
Our organic certification is issued by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. See our organic certificate →
How to Tell if Spices Are Irradiated
- Look for the USDA Organic seal. It's the simplest guarantee, because organic products can't be irradiated.
- Look for the Radura symbol (a stylized green plant in a circle) or the words "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation."
- Know the gap: labeling rules apply to irradiated foods sold as-is. An irradiated spice used as an ingredient in another product doesn't have to be labeled, so if you're buying conventional, ask the brand directly.
Beyond Non-Irradiated
Every spice, herb and seasoning blend we sell is:
- USDA certified organic, so it's non-GMO and non-irradiated
- Certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group
- Kosher certified by EarthKosher
- Vegan
- Tested for heavy metals: each lot is tested by an accredited third-party laboratory for lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the current lot linked from each single-ingredient product page. How we test →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are organic spices irradiated?
No. Irradiation is prohibited under USDA organic regulations. A spice that has been irradiated can't legally be sold as organic.
Are your spice blends non-irradiated too?
Yes. Our blends are certified organic, so none of their ingredients are irradiated.
If they aren't irradiated, how are your spices cleaned?
They are steam sterilized. Brief exposure to high-heat steam reduces bacteria and mold without radiation or chemical fumigants, and it is permitted under USDA organic rules.
Is non-irradiated the same as non-GMO?
They're different things, but USDA organic covers both: organic products can't be irradiated or genetically engineered.
