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J 9d ;1%C~/i~//~Z~J /~r~1 io~'%r/~ ~'r;~~iL~~ <br /> p ~ ~ ~ ? H •~-~..-a <br /> ~f Story "#10738" Re~~~ested by INFO STATION (\SP^'.$LSRV) on 5/20/97 13:45: <br /> St. Petersburg Times <br /> Publication Date 10/31/9 <br /> Page• 1B _ l~ ht~ ~ <br /> !1l'V1 <br /> HD: Publix rejects irradiated foamsstuffs ~p~~ <br /> <br /> ~B'8: MARLENE SDKCL ~'L~I'Y~ <br /> EX: Publix Super Markets delivered what could be a major public <br /> relations blow to a local food processing plant when it announced <br /> Wednesday that it will not carry irradiated produce, meat or <br /> seafood. <br /> .i" We have had a lot of customers tell us that they don"t want <br /> irradiated foods,"" said Howard ~7enkins, chairman of the state"s <br /> largest grocer. <br /> The Publix decision comes as Vindicator Inc. of Plant City <br /> prepares to open the nation"s first commercial food irradiation <br /> plant in Mulberry, a small town in Polk County. <br /> Irradiation uses gamma rays to kill pests and bacteria in order to <br /> delay spoilage and fight food-borne illnesses. <br /> The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hoe approved lower <br /> doses of irradiation. But many consumer groups have criticized the <br /> FDA rulings, saying not enough research has been done on side <br /> effects, which might include birth defects or cancer. <br /> Sam Whitney, Vindicator"s president, said he had not heard of the <br /> Public, announcement, but added that he has never considered <br /> Publix a customer. <br /> Whitney declined to say who his Pirst customers will be. " I could <br /> name about is, but I"m not going to,"" he said. <br /> Foes of irradiation celebrated Wednesday"s decision. " Tt"s a great <br /> consumer victory,"" said Michael Colby, director of the Food & <br /> Water organization in New York. " We expect others, once they see <br /> x is taking the lead, will sign up as well."" <br /> M45t supermar]:et chains have taken a wait-and-see position as <br /> they weigh consumer concerns against the economic benefits of <br /> incre ed shelf life. <br /> inn Dixie Stores Inc. has not made a decision, said Mickey Clare, <br /> the company"s marketing vice president in 3acksonville. <br /> Clerc said Winn Dixie trusts federal and state regulators. But, he <br /> said, "Whatever our customers want, we will get it for them. We ors <br /> t it purchasing agents."" <br /> At Albertsons Inc., " we are not planning to sell irradiated food,"" <br /> said Terri Hughes, a corporate spokeswoman in Boise, Idaho. <br /> Representatives of both Publix and Albertsons said there is no <br /> guar ntee t2;ey will not change their positions if consumers change <br /> their preference. <br /> In addition to lining up customers, Vindicator must secure a stag <br /> license to possess and use radicactive cobalt-60, the radioactive <br /> material. <br /> The statE Department of Healtri and Rehabilitative services <br /> (HRS), which is reviewing Vindicator"s application for a license, has <br /> scheduled a public hearing ac 10 a.m. Monday at the Mulberry Civic <br /> Center to discuss safety at the plant. <br /> SC: TAMPA BAY AND STATE qq •1~q <br /> PG: 1$ G~rmrn. No. ~Y •7 <br /> AT: food controversy cancer consumer healthS business FND ~ COQ <br /> tiaf .Presented <br /> ~~t. ihate. MAY 2 0 1997 <br /> <br />