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it 4/22/97 Since the eighties, the FDA has been pushing hard for acceptance of food irradiation from the public. First fruits, then vegetables,and finally, seafood and poultry irradiation were pushed and rejected. Now, the Department of Agriculture and the American Meat Institute are pushing for irradiation of red meat to destroy Ecoli and Salmonella. The GAO (Government Accounting Office) is demanding cleaner slaughterhouse standards, instead. Consumers don't want any irradiated foods! More than eighty major food corporations and chains have supported their customers and rejected food irradiation. Once again, the FDA is pushing for ircadiated fruits. FLA's Vindicator plant has lost six million dollars trying to sell ircadiated strawberries. Customers don'[ want them, so major chains won't buy them. Why is Hawaii pushing ircadiation of rambuton and ly chee when their test market irradiated papayas were so opposed by major markets in the Midwest recently? Rumors say, the U.S. is falling behind in food irradiation and must be more competitive. Food irradiation is not widely used in Europe. There is widespread opposition and four countries have completely banned it. Of thirty-six countries, eleven irradiate, five of those only spices; the other six ,spices and limited foods. Most of these countries only have one irradiation plant. Denmark exports only and allows no import or sale of irradiated foods. The Netherlands, dubbed the "irradiation capital of the world", because of its heavy promotion, actually irradiates less than one percent of its foods and requires much stricter labeling than the U:S. France, eighty percent nuclear dependent, irradiates only four foods: spices, potatoes, deboned chicken, and camember cheese (on an experimental basis), but has strong consumer opposition from [he French people. Generally, countries who irradiate foods most are those with the highest amount of nuclear waste from weapons and/ or nuclear power; countries who allow little citizen imput into government decision making. These countries include: the Ukraine, Croatia, China, Chile, and South Africa. Nuclear dependent Japan is considering going out of the nuclear business entirely since their recent accident. Eight Japanese consumer groups, including the powerful Consumer's Union, say they will boycott Hawaii's ircadiated fruits. Mostly medicines and spices are ircadiated at the U.S.'s forty plants. One plant is set up for food irradiation, Vindicator, (who failed with strawberries). Since, they have changed their name, and are irradiating their own poultry, since the general poultry community rejects irradiation. Another plant is in the planning stages in Iowa. U. S. irradiation plants are private enterprises but have strong support politically and financially from pronuclear industries who need to dispose of their waste, productively if possible. They are licensed and regulated by the NRC so the fox is definately watching the chicken house... in terms of safety and oversight. The Food Marketing Institute in 1995 found fifty-four percent of consumers consider Food irradiation a hazard. "Eighty-two percent are concerned or very concerned about it," stated a 1994 Health Focus poll. Worldwide, citizens are educating themselves on nutrition and food safety, and demanding healthy, nutritious food. They don't want food irradiation. Don't forget this when you consider putting all your eggs! tax dollazs in the food irradiation basket!! Sources: U. S. Government Accounting Office, Environmental Defense League, Honolulu Magazine 2/97, Commision of the European Community, Public Citizen, Food and Water, Health Focus, Food Marketing Institute, NOAH, and French Ambassador Mssr Poirson. Coma. Dtq ~Z >~,e no. FNO - fief. To:®recen"red fG ~ ttet. llate APR 2__ 4~_,