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Sibongile Maruta Herald Reporter
The Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) has dispelled viral social media claims that food heated in the microwave is unhealthy. Recently, social media was awash with news claiming that when food is heated in the microwave it becomes “radioactive” and therefore unfit for human consumption.

In an interview with The Herald last week, RPAZ chief executive officer Mr Reward Severa said there was need to dispel the unfounded assertions.

“There is need to dispel these misconceptions,” he said. “It is important to note that microwaves do not make any materials, including food, radioactive. Microwaves are high frequency radio waves and are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

“They are used primarily for TV broadcasting, radar for air and sea navigational aids, and telecommunications, including mobile phones. Information being circulated on social media will create a lot of fear, alarm and despondency as unfounded information gets passed around as facts.”

RPAZ, as a result, has since written an awareness note assuring people that food cooked in a microwave oven is safe.

“Food cooked in a microwave oven is as safe and has the same nutrient value as food cooked in a conventional oven,” said the organisation.

“The main difference between these two methods of cooking is that microwave energy penetrates deeper into the food and reduces the time for heat to be conducted throughout the food, thus reducing the overall cooking time.”

RPAZ issued the statement on February 1 where it also quoted a World Health Organisation fact sheet on electro-magnetic field and public health, which noted that using a microwave did not have any effects on human health.