Irradiation Action Alert

by Food and Water, Inc.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve red meat irradiation at any moment. This is the latest attempt to create a market for irradiated foods. If successful, fruits, vegetables, spices, poultry and pork, already approved for irradiation by the FDA will also be subject to widespread radiation treatment and made available in markets across the country. While vigilantly awaiting beef irradiation approval, the irradiation industry is trying to convince food retailers and citizens to accept the dangerous technology. This time they are pushing harder than ever before, and pro-irradiation forces of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are helping.

Sound off to the food retailer industry now. Citizens can stop food irradiation by demonstrating their strong opposition to the technology to food retailers. Together we'll stop beef irradiation before it ever hits the market.

Even if you don't eat meat, this is an important action for you to take. This is a critical juncture that will likely determine the success or failure of the irradiation industry. By acting now, you can keep all foods from being treated with irradiation and ensure the failure of this risky and unnecessary technology.

Call the Food Marketing Institute (FMI - 1-800-364-7101). FMI is the most influential industry association in this country for food retailers. FMI represents approximately 17,000 supermarkets across the country worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Ą Ask to speak with a consumer affairs representative.

Ą Tell them you know that the FDA is about to approve beef irradiation.

Ą Tell them you are opposed to irradiation and you will not shop in a store that carries irradiated foods.

Ą Ask them to pass your concerns and your pledge that you will not support retailers who support food irradiation on to their membership.

It is FMI's job to let its members know that citizens are extremely concerned about food irradiation and the unnecessary health and environmental risks it carries. If FMI responds to your call with unusual comments that you think we should know about, call us and let us know. We'll pass the information on to future callers.

The Problems with Food Irradiation

Ą Irradiation creates new chemicals in foods called radiolytic products. Some are known cancer causing substances, like benzene when beef is irradiated. Others are unique to the irradiation process and no one knows what effect these have on human health.

Ą Irradiation destroys essential vitamins and nutrients that are natually present in food.

Ą No studies have been done that show that a long-term diet of irradiated foods is safe.

Ą Irradiation plants pose environmental threats to workers and surrounding communities. The transportation of nuclear materials to irradiation facilities also poses severe public health risks.

(Reprinted from Food and Water, Inc., 1-800-EAT-SAFE, 802-563-3300.)

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Last Update: 10/6/96