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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0931.012 1996-1998 4 Friends of Agriculture - Hawaii A Non Candidate 'RO. Box 4284, H o, Hiws11967?0-4264 PoMfoolAcdon Committee August 3, 1998 TEL: (606)966.881! to Support Hawaii's Apr/cultural Exports Dear Council Member: Richard Nelson, Chair Ronald Penn. Treasurer On August 5, 1998 you will have an opportunity to send the Monty Richards appropriate signal to the voters of Hawaii concerning the Agriculture Representative proposed ordinance change suggested by Parents Against Irradiation. It is my opinion that this ordinance change cony Hanley discriminates solely against amst farmers and agriculturists requirin Business Representative Y g g adequate post harvest treatment facilities to enter the export Fred Goldones market place. It is restrictive of their free trade and will place Labor Representative them at a distinct disadvantage in their attempts to better their Dr. James T, Lambeth lives and the lives of their children. Jennie Wung. R.N. Public Health Representatives I believe in the right to petition and feel that issues of this Endorsing Qrganizations importance have their place on local ballots. However, I deplore the method by which this group obtained the support for their Bggislland BBonsal usiness Council position. In reviewing a history of this group's activities, back to Big Island Farm Bureau 1989, I have located the following articles which describe their Big Island na Papaya Grower Association on blueprint for success. Big Island voters deserve better! Please Big Nand Pno4a Association Green Point Nurseries take an opportunity to review these articles and then on August 5, Nowell Air Car" Association Hawall Anllwrlum Industry Association when you are faced with the ability to say NO to these tactics and Howell Cattlemen's Association to add your disdain to these methods, please do so by rejecting Howell County Democratic Party ntyEconomic this ill gotten petition. iitun Ec op Howell DrAand Taro Association Hewes ExportNurverymen•sAssoulatwn Friends of Agriculture - Hawaii is dedicated to address this ballot Xawell Farm Bureau Federation HawaN FbNeb F Shipp Shippers Association issue with the only tool which Parents Against Irradiation have Howell Ginger Commodity Association yet to use - the truth. Over the next three months we will be Howell Wand Alliance to ten Future Howell Island Board dRwiton bringing to the forefront scientific fact and credentialed accurate Howell Island Chamber ofCommerce information so that voters will at least have the opportunity to Howell Island Contactors Association Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber make a decision that's based on facts. If you simply file this of Commerce Howell PPeeppeeyy.o Growers Association issue, you will empower the opposition and encourage then to Hawaii Tropical Fewer council continue their spread of fear around our island. You will be KawaflTniplool r rs Cooperative fruit saying "eve condone this type of behavior and we encourage it in Xlb County Ram Bureau the future". ILYWI Local 142 Japanese chamber olOommerce Please VOTE to reject and send this issue to the ballot. tfanoebhua Irn& Indu Max Association Kona Gold Perms WioFarms of Howell Sincere) Operating Engineers Local9 Y> i 01 Richard L. Nelson - Chairima" 931, /z aim. Na._---~---r File No. ir> r,~l Ref. ToiPresented C4?NC,~ But. Date AUG 5 1999 W Food & Water, aua"~yur+.ru ~~~,rOxa .Aw .waV~~IL.- p0 ~r~a~ri(t ~~SSq~-aW'~+~M ~ ,C wsTM. ~ttt~~.sa Tnrrir 'a ?,rr TNei a,~e we tNatx TµmhhiS ts'N~ '1.L 'rMe NaNer ~ ~ Nelms :OR VS Nj0.. h ~ .M'at~mpl 'v: a~: ~ TtVtN_OVR tNtt6a ~ IIA~ r!r uNe .s"; .y Txf• RM~Kt... -s .','~O,e usw'A'ra . i. AMe Aviv pEW 1tw~r~"'x L +R` `'V truer iwTUa~ 'WILL Cot % / ~ i ( sly"`Ql= MF STpp f Raar~n~ L apo~ rooo. wF wfu! ~ Turning Antinuclear Fear into Profits by Marjorie Mazel Hecht For osteopath wally Burstein and to its planned opening this summer, mentandbusinesses trying toirradiate I his group rood & Water, Inc, Food &Water launched aS30,000om- ourfoodwithradioactivewastes.'The fighting food irradiation has been a paign of 60-second Florida radio ads Superman tells the frightened people, ticket to fame and money. The group's that lie outright that food irradiation 'We have three things going for us. income is now six figures-all built on 'might WII you.' They sent out a m- the truth... our integrity and lies about food irradiation. tionwide mailing to media with the ad commitment and far(in red)' Fear . . The New Jarsey based antinuclear and promised to escalate their lies na- that our food will be poisoned, our group has targeted vindicator of Flori- tionally in a 5300,000 radio campaign. children, our grandchildren and the da since the company, began its plan in They also threatened to launch a Earth will be injured.' the mid-19M to build the natloMSfirst 'worldwide boycott' of Florida's ego- To fan the fear of an unsuspecting commercial food irradiatton plant in ports if the Vindicator plats opens. public. Food 6 Water lies: It lies that the town of Mulberry. Food m Water (See accompanying nary, p.12.) radiation stays in the food, It lies that organixen came, to the area to stir up Food a Water pays no attention to the technology is untested, it ties fear among local citizens with stories scientific fags. irrational far is ex- about thenames ofcompanies andor- about the dangers of living next door plaited to the maximum, as their pro- gaMSations that pledged not to use to a food irradiation plant and to paganda samples here demonstrate. food irradiation-and It lies on its tax 'train' local activists. One -aetlorh pedat' features a -Stop foram. In this last matter, it is interest- They did not succeed in stopping Food Irradiation' Superman battling Ing that the Internal Revel us Service "is plant. As Vindicator came closer 'the unholy elliance benwen govern- has continued to smile on Food a We- 20 Fall 1991 21st CENTURY SPECIAL REPORT CDO , nos. VEy /s r,~ U E~A(71'~a_ E ~GSTHE ~OS7E~ TPI r l SUS FOCO !iLL SO E NCW " ~ Gil y\ eel rTy,~? ry~ ~ ~asli~ i ~ rte, nn~~ LviAY BE F ARCED ~,eh~a TO ED FppDS s'G 4i aid y....' nom! \ti Ink ter, even though these lies, as noted Nathan Bross Batalion with the stated Samples of Food & Wateirs propagan- below, have been brought to the at- purpose of 'fundraising for hunger do against food irradiation. tention of the IRS by concerned cit- projects.' With $140 In the bank, it izens. gained not•for-profit status, 501 (e) (3) he said. `The thins had gone to a As with other New Age groups, in IRS lingo,an Aug. 6,1964;its federal shell.' many members may sincerely believe 10 number is 22.254Ml. And so Batalion turned Food & Wa- their own sure stories. They view Satallon'sldeawestohavebusinas- ter over to one of his new contacts technology, industry, and experts' as as make contributions for hunger from the alternative medicine fight, theeneliesof'nature' andaspeople causes in a payroll withholding pro- Wally Surnsteln, an antinudaractiv- willing to do anything for 'greed.' gram. He chose the name because of istofthe touchy-fi tlyvariatywho runs However, when presented with sden- its universelity: 'tt could be necos- a holistic health center, the Roxbury - tific evidence--indisputable facts-on nizedanywhere inthewodd,'hesaid, Medical Group. Sumstein trans- the issue, Food & Water represents- and 'people who are starving need formed Food & Water into a crusade fives will irrationally insist on re- food and water.' ButBatalbnthenbe- against food irradlaNan-while keep- posting the same old lies. The truth is tame involved in a lobbying effort to ingits not-for-profitmtus.Thm is no not of interest to them. stop a N.J. bill that would have made indication in the last S years that A Nonprofit Beginning it illegal for holistic medlcal pray Sumstein's group has raised-or Food & Water, Inc. got its start in titionM to prescribe nutritional pro- spent-any money for hunger prol- A !984, founded by Now Jersey CPA grams. 'I let the hunger issue drop,' sm. In fact, one can argue that its ac- SPECIALREPORT 21st CENTURY Fall 1991 - 21 it~Tr,4~allr/Mf411T ~Y.~~ A" waiw /22 14, ...i:n •~.F. ,i ..rim-- . ~ _ i . sue.. . O•/~9Y+r-Syr//"ham : ~"^i~•'w_, ' yQI~ M M JAI Cry„/~ r y/'W' •~,ilt-::~Y+';'~F.'~ ..w»•' Raft No lobbyingf Here are Food & Wate/s 1987 and 19M tax returns, along with some of fa lobbying ma s"als. tivitles against food irradiation will in- specifically 'for continuation and bying activities to a small fraction of expansion of educational program their work. Part Ill, question 1. on the crew* world hunger. In addition addition to contributions solicit- with high-visibility public relations 1988 tax return askt.'Ouring the year , state, of I ad through its 800 number, Food & and advertising program to educate h tionalve attempted i'~on, ia- to influence pub any Water has received sizable foundation- consumers and inform food comer grants for ies'eduatlonal' activitiesnies,wholesalersandreailen,ofpub ti opnion o ehnleohd" matter or The unary Reynolds Babcock founda- lic opposition to food irradiation.' dumY Food & Wate/s answer tion awarded it 530,000 in November Ayear later, another S30ADwasgh" _ _ 1989 and 550,000 in November 1990.1 n M by the Eduhaaonal Foundation 't0 is is a bo an the 11967 and 1969 rreturns answer dune 7991, the foundation gave Food & educate consumers about food Irredl' in feu. Food & Water leaders brag Water an emergency $3,000 gran[ so anon and possible hazards n of which may hone this on the P and in successful print lobbying about lobbying their to thatthe60-secondradiospotcould'be result from impNmentatio _ mailed out to meth nadonwide. This Wauraaswdaa director Michael & pass a moratorium irradiation COi- On food es to- in the sates of New Jersey and New bacco fortune, part of the Reynolds fund fortune, specifically does not sated on the radio that the group fund health' issues, but food & We- was now getting funding from the York, and their Information pahdtw and as weduca- Rockefeller Foundation. contain step-bystspru'd~ , for dt- tlon; not packets teh work is ltaracarizad The Tax Inep laritles model letters to Is~ toad radh- health. zone In NOwmherf1967, rom Food & Water re- its pro ra& Watees 190 tax m services as 0 pub is i In/oo- tion-olnnApril 119M. Food & Water Sent cawed Foundation xf from the Educational ti fi in issues of radio- out a packet members conaining foundation of America, a 'public clean- manfood +twat g received from do foundation, for d 'public edun- ton food + wear h`"th ' To around the letters country thanking the its tan programs and food ciaimedl3onetits Po- environment maintain no public tar ;a 'hard work an legbla- tan assoai hazards technology.' ~hen =-exempt no contributions, >n cha~e tlo~n,Q as one such letter Put it. -vmber 1ssodar 1988. with the grant the grnant t was was In 585,000Oe-, groups roups are an supposedtolimit their lob- A June 1989 Fated & WSW publaca- spsaALREPORT 22 Fall 1991 27 rt CENTURY tton lists the group's participation in This photo of 3umstetn accompamea hearings an' national legislation" pro- tY. a Sept. 19, 1967 arricie in the Oadv Re- posing a ban an the sale of irradiated cord about Surnstem's campaign :a foods and describes their role in 'the stop food irradiation. Reporter Room -ggle to ban radiation exposed food Lally wrote: 'Once again, he rolled uo ew fersey.' The group also takes ' his sleeves and got to work. He too- credit ?or its work in Alaska to per- bled to get legislation passed in :he suade the governor to refuse a federal state Senate banning the sale orrrract- granttobuild anirradiation facdim. .1 atedfoodinNewlersev.Nowhe'stoo- Some ofthelobbying materials bear 1\ byingkeymembersoithestateAssern• the sponsor name of 'People for the bly.... Bumstern says he devotes as Responsible .Management of Radioac- - much energy to environmental issues tive Waste.' a group also headed by as he does ro his medical prarnce. Sumstan with the same address as Food &Water(his home address). And Bumstern told the Daily Record. if you call the phone numb er for the 'Food irradiation as Weil as all toxic 'People' group, it rings in Sumstein's lwaltel is violence against us, against medical office! Bumstein is the presi• our children, against future genera- dent of Food & Water, and according Kier awnwrowrcru dons and against our environment." to the group's tax form works 3S hours a week in this capacity. dation'-a group that at the time did research foundation could be set uo in Another interesting irregularity is not exist. According to Michael Colby, the Boston area. One intrepid scientist that the 1907 Food & Water tax return associate directorof Food & Water, the tried w rind the foundation office in a notes a contribution of S104,060 'paid money was being 'held' by Food & Boston suburb. He described it as a to Children's Cancer Research Foun- Water until the bank account of this 'broom closet' used as a mail drop. The lrivisible Violence' of Food & Water • The same letter states that after Here is a selection of misinforma- - - Food & Water flooded the Florida tion from Food & Water's leading wkesmen: Citrus Commission with letters, the e Michael Colby, associate direc- 'Citrus Commission reversed their - tor of Food & Water, on an Aug. 15, initial position of support forirradia- , ; ; 1990 Pacifica Radio program 'Our don and rejected the process.' Nuclear World,' stated: The fact is that the State of Florida Citrus and the Florida Food irradiation is bombarding Departirsent of it yam" _16 our food with radioactive isotopes. ~c • - Citrus Commission wrote to Bumstein The reason why we have food irmdi- - asking him to -Immediately cease and abon is it directly comes from the desistdsefalstuseofournamesincon- Atoms for Peace program in the -r'f'~c•- nK with your campaigns against 1950s, when they were trying to food irradiation" and to 'retract all come up with reasons to use radio- - std to the contrary" e Food & Water research director active garbage, to try to extend the ludkh H. lohnsrud wrote in 1906: nuclear industry. 'The Food and Drug Administra- *The best that canbesaid abautfood irradiation is ftt neither FDA nor don admitted that there could r„-. • ' ueoa anyone also knows If It Is safe, and be an increase in the cancer rate if food is irradiated.... Salmonella, the main beneficiary of substantial evidence indicates that 'When you irradiate poultry at the Food & water's campaign against foods treated with h ra ationngtare approvedlevel...tharstheequiva- foodfradiadon, damaging to heal. _ lent of giving that chicken 30 million tory prudence would dictate that a cheatX-rays.... know, in an unprecedented mow, technology having potentially seri- 'We are being attacked by the in- the Food and Drug Administration ous adverse public health conse- visible violence of technologies like (FDA)-without conducting any tax- quencesmustnotbeallowed toPro- food irradiation.' icologiol tests--approved the pro- coed Commercially while such $ig- e An undated letter from Wall cos of irradiating foods in 1906.' hifficam gaps in knowledge exist.' Bumstein to raise funds to stop the For the facts. sale the FDAstatemesn For the tam, see the FDA statement •yindicator plant states: 'As you may on pate 19. oe stall 1!. 21st CENTURY FaU 1991 - - 23 SPECIAL REPORT -c.^.:~Lawsr±!Lrw<""-R'•'=' ".'tis-'c_^~r'-. _ _ _ 21ST C:NTTJRY 0ECLaRES WAR ON V,ATED NATIONS'EARTH SUMMIT The Earth SummroEco-n must be stopped unless ThlrotNarid nations want then populations and soverergnry arced and their resourtbeOuamationaiized, journalist Lorenzo Carruca 3azua told diplomats, journalists, aerC rearesenta- "a of environmental organiations at a special briefing sponsored by 21sr ` Century at the National Press Club !n Washington, Sept. 20. Reoresentacves of U.S. government agencies also attended. Carrasco, who heads :hc 6xerltrve fntelfigence Reviews bureau in Rio de Janeiro. gave a devoted reoortorithe background of the June 1442 United Nations summit and the Malthusian ,.arid Order that the summit is Intended to set in place. Carruca also repeated his u invitation to Jose Luaenberger, Brazil's Environment minister. for an open de- bate on the Earth Summir issues. Lutzenberger is a oaid agent of the Caia Founda- tion, one of groups pressing for the institutionalization of the pagan concept Mat man is no different from the other species on Earth. alerrx.it.e 27sr century managing editor Marjorie Mazel Hitcht told the graua.^Ne have Catrasca at the 21st Century bnering. called this briefing on the Earth Summit. because we intend to stop it from His testimoriv berme a Brazilian con- happening, and we went to toil the world why it should be stopped.' Codanng gressional camnrrate rtl August led to- 'war' on the Summit and its organizers. Hecht said that behind the cleasanmes rho commfret f call ror the -esigna- of cleaning up the environment is the ugly Malthusun paiicy of vastly reducing non or 3razd's environment minister. the world population, mat just randomly, but deliberately reduang the peopia of color, The Summit Intends to make binding global laws on the Envronment, removing national sovereignty and enforcing these taws'with a global green ,.r...: srwr WO i~ iWW"r police force. The environmental doomsday scenarios that are allegedly the res- A ,I ` son for the proposed harm environmentai miauures are hoaxes with no seen- tific evidence behind them. iecht said. 'Our saiution is development: Oeveiop ' N 64 the world. industrialize the world, ga nuclear.:..' Carrasco's report on the Earth Summit will appear in Ma winter 1991 issue or 21st Century. MALAYSIA MAY BOYCOTT THE EAM SUMMIT, SAYS PRIME MINISTER Prime Minister Of. Mahathir Mahamad announced Aug. 16 that Malaysia may boycott the Earth Summit in Brazil in June 1992. saving that itwould be pointless for the country to attend because powerful international environmental groups _ had already made up their minds on the emrironmental situation in .Malaysia. L 'If they have decided to oust Malaysia from the world. there is no need far us to attend,' Mahathir said. according to a pap-one article in the Aug. 17 Kuala r Lumpur daily, Mo Star. Describing the environmental groups as colonialists and imperialists, Mahathiroaid thutheywanted Malaysia's indigenous peoples to be preserved as'jungie inhabiants' and'museurm pieces' without oevelopment. 'The environmental groups are very wail organized and rich. 1 am sure they are funded by certain economic lobbyists to break the laws of this country and to mate proolems.' rarnoenng with a water sample! food MORE UES ON FOOD IRRADIATION FROM FOOD i WATEL INC 6wate!s.uicnaefColby arapress Cott- Food t4Water is cominuirig its campaign of ties against food irradiation,with forence 0ec. S. 1940. announcing can new ads on 'S.:p the IQller Strawberries' and threats of a boycott of Florida results Char shuwed hazarcous levels produce if the vlndlater plant opens flee page 12). A sate summer fund-raising ofindusmal contamination in local wa- letter from the antinuclear group proclaimed. 'We are convinced that the fate ter -These rests prove whar we've of the food irradiation industry in this country will be decided by the Sumss or feared all along: The warren County failure of the vindicator facility' and requests Stoll "tax-deducubie" gifts for incrme.'aror is destroying riur health their•STOPVINDICATOR PROIECT.'Alist atfood companies 'that have stated and our land.' The sampit a conrami- they do not use radiation-exposed foods' still includes Pepsico. which halt twice nation it% cis were impp..>.ni. hign. written the group to toil them to stop using the cormpanys name. 10 Fa11199I 21KCE4TURY NIEWSBBMPS _ The ,roua s icon tact.^.cs are 'ar fimiced to food irradiation. Reporter Jay C. '.icnards in warren Cuunn,. Nfty !ersty. has documented Food S Want's mredr• , ~t 1 ad at using lies to cresto:care Ito nee in an attempt to shutdown New lerftty'll first incinerator-resource recovery racility. This included tampering with Awater ;I sample. a cnarge sell under.mv es it gntton by the Warren County authorities. and buitvintt Fi•nards's puff%her :a rrv to get him tired from theNewsand 8lorsrown Press when rtr 9erlisl tr.. tari.n; the truth about Food S Water. MALTHI. SIAM CLU'8 OF :t,%iE ISSUES NEW ACEN OA FOR CREEN FASCISM - ~,~ee.e/ant .r. .r.. G.wM wad L7273 IZ`29W.T, Al i' 0_4 - FOOD IRRADIATION: Countering the Tactics and Claims of Opponents Misinformation, boycott threats, picketing, and pressuring legislators are tactics used by anti-irradiation activists. What should food professionals do? Donald R. Pszcsola, Assistant Editor Cl AN INFORMED PERSON may _ Char" that it will be used to conceal motivated by political concerns; ran well wonder why food irradiation food contsmmation, lower food ical environmentalists; or thos Mr such intense controversy. quality sand increase risk soaking to gain influence, mono) After all, a survey of the facts will to public health ( ish1,1990). Anti. and power from a sines issue. Had the following to be true: irradiation activists have resorted to no tactics that members of thi 1. Irradiation offers a variety of blatant misinformation campaigns. camp use, however no similar t advantages. including ha thepo- threats of boycotts, picketing o su• those of terrorists. WOOthey dobe tential to help solve the emblem of p~rmarketa pressuring of state leg- bomb airports or hijack airplane salmonellosis and other foodborne Liston, anif actions that prey on the they do gyrey on people's feu any diseases-a roblsm which has been Consumer's fear of nuclear aeci- lack of lmowledge, are no=; recognized for several decades, dents-all in an attempt either to and self-righteous. sad are obsesses L More than 40 Yeah of research stall FDA approval of irradiation or with achieving their own ends-u confirm the wholesomeness, safetyy even more dramatic, ban the sale this case Vat elimlaation of irradu torconsumption, andnutritional ed- and distribution of irradiated foods tion as a food processing techniqu, equacy of irradiated foods s~taptes MBecauss of their effor~te~idrra One taf 00 employed by a uradi ctics 8. Thirty-six countries have ap- e 1989. forces occurred m Florida i provd the process for more than 49 diction has become a political different foods (AOAC,1990) and 20 chologibal issue. Whether y~ayom of Flo, He is ready for this food process- A company countries are currently engaged is pub ~aed~ cmerciAl•acels Irradiation of aps- lag method and will accept it and ids (Plant City. p~ comfood items (Josdiatio 1989)• whether food pr~ocessori will take build an irradiation fecility in o 4. food items Astronauts, patients with sup the financial risk of investing in it state. The $7.5 milli pI=tw pressed immune systems who re- =x estion still left to be an- foods su as propoudstrawberries, fish, quire sterilized diets, and studyy vol- ~png untesn haw consumed ir=e teed This article will describe some of chicken -1-0 f Cobalt-80. The si products without adverse A effects- anhe Zteent efforts of on opponents It will tasaess wee ehgaow the t3wo "M wss Mulben 6. The Food and Drug g tntioa hss approved ireadiatioa for of their that a~up and u porters of foodgirradi. Tamp&.It w lGcW ~ tea certain uses: most recently (May 2, ways its proximity to a mayor citrus 1990) for controlling bacterial con- anon may respond. portation route (Be" 1989b). tamination in chicken, turkey, and l~ irradiation o ponents w" to the other fresh and frosen uncooked Using Terrorism Citnu Co h at the cty~wo Major hsdth organizations, in as a Tactic mission the irM%1 tion fa tomational Committees of experts, The opponents of food irradiation tion of~ ridw to tth citrus societies have an- consist of different types. Those may poaens~ In particular, a eve e and scientific include Antinuclear activists; con- dd d~ it contended that Despite the evidence. however. tumor advocates; Aati•tclentt Water activist im, ep ooppppoonents of food irradiation have faddists, and those opposed to a major market forcitrus' we eLimd that the process will under- processing natural of onac fkin d;a; ddvud 1s noott accept any food that was irn mine the world food supply-they 92 rooo TROVOloor-JJ14 1990 now' 7, (Countering Tactics and Claims continuedl ated, and that if the plant was built, eted supermarkets that were test Giddings (1987) described sc an international boycott of all Flor- marketing irradiated produce-this i their tactics. ida citrus (irradiated or not) would kind of activity putting pressure on i Opponents of food irradiatico occur, both the retailer and the processor. have been quite successful in their Whether this boycott would have Such pressure may explain, in part, I efforts. Three states have so far occurred or not is a matter of con- why first-generation irradiated banned irradiation-Maine (May, ecture. In December 1989, the Mul- I products are not found on U.S. store 1987), New York (July, 1988); and berry City Council voted for an or- shelves. Since there is an absence of I New Jersey (December, 1989). Other dinance that would ban the irradia- irradiated products, consumers have states that have hotly debated food tion process within the city limits. not yet become accustomed to rec- eradiation include Hawaii. Illinois. The vote came after a lenity and ognizing the radura symbol; cone- I Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ore- divisive public debate, which was : uently, FDA continues to require ! qon, and Vermont (Diehl, 1990). attended by about 300 people, in- the words "treated with radiation Furthermore, in Congress, there is a cluding the president and owner of or "treated by irradiation" to appear bill opposing the process. The bill Vindicators of Florida, scientists, i with the symbol on packages of irre- sponsored by SenatorGeor~e Mitch consumer activist groups, politi- dieted food (FDA, 1990). However, at (D-Me) and Douglas Boaco (D- cians, and residents of Mulberry. to a consumer who does not make a Ca), requires the labeling of minor A Mulberry City Commissioner distinction between radioactive irradiated ingredients as well as pro- who proposed the ordinance was I foods and irradiated foods, the use hibits the sepias and distribution of quoted in a local newspaper as say- of such words may prove confusing irradiated foods until further re- eng, "I can't remember an issue that and mislsadinQ. search is done. was so adamantly opposed by the i e Makin[ lnfiammatory De- The future of irradiation may not le of Mulberry" (Beata, 1989a). I mands. More recently activists be certain in the European Commu- However, according to the same have argued that all foods contain- nity either. Member countries are newspaper, the mayor of Mulberry I eng irradiated ingredients be spe- planning to create an unrestricted said that "he remains skeptical of ! cially labeled. (FDA requires.label- common market by 1992, which the anti-irradiation forces. He be- ing if the entire product or in* r in- would require compute harmoniza- Heves that while the protesters are ~d~ ant has been irradiated. tion of food laws and regulations. vocal, most of them are not from Irradiated spices in foods are con- However, not all member countries Mulberry" (Beals, 1989a). Prior to sidered minor ingredients and do ppeermithrradistion.WhiletheV the mating; the mayor noted, "As not require labeling.) Activists cal- Kingdom lifted its ban on ire.. far as the city of Mulberry is con- culate that the labels will frighten lion in July of 1989, and the Neth- earned, I've only been contacted by consumers into chooaiaQ nouirradi- erlands. Belgium, and France per- ' a man and his wife. I'm looking for- ated foods, dise ads the industry mit irradiation of certain commodi- ward to Tuesday night to hear the from usinmgg irradiated ingredients in ties, other countries (e.g., Germany other aide of the story" (Beals, products (Giddings, 1989), and over- and the Scandinavian countries' 1989a). This seems to suggest that all put irradiated foods at s great have not granted an~yy exemptions the role of the activist groups may I disadvantage compared to foods Tit's is due to the 0Horta of Wool have had a more dramatic effect on i processed by other methods (Diehl, anti-nuclear consumerist groups. the outcome of the meeting than the j 1990). It is for these reasons that Why have the activists been so fa' noted that successful in their anti-food irradia dissatisfaction of the residents Josephson (1990) wryly themselves. This point is further re- activists won't be satisfied until the =o %:w:1 in the U.S. and othe inforced by the fact that it is usually radura symbol is replMced with a d? There are seven the activist groups who are quoted skull and croabones. rwons. First, activists have delib u speaking for the consumer, and a Using Stalling Tactics. An- eately confused the public regard not the consumers themselves. other delay tactic commonly used by ing the differenca between radioac 8 threatening to boycott cites activists is their argument that irra- Live foods and irradiated food roducts or by sttggating that a diation should not be allowed be- Gamma rays of Cobalt-80, X-rays t would occur if the plant was cause there is no method yet to db- enargles below 6 million elecm atttivlst rou succeeded in I ta:tmiue whether a food has been ir- 'dolts (MeV), and electrons at One the'[ollowfnEE 1) they stalled, per- radiated Ironically, activists are gia• below ID M o cannot add at hapi derailed, plans or an imdia- I ca itng on the fact that therm- massurable radioactivity activity to cal changes in irradiated foods are so bac4round radioactivity of fool tion fadlity in Mulberry; (2) they stifled the market by the I use minor these that ~is a maanstof do- son, 1 _90b) Sthe" Sources econd the (a ue'"s Lis oppo - consuman from he* tunity to choose; (3) they held the testing whether the food has been have ban adept at using the m . . vin dtrus industry hostage to threats; ' irradiated Marcotte (IRS) noted that m's' and (4) they tried to intimidate the JO e Pressuring Legislators. Per- formation from activist Sources he sireea chhidng nnow ochnoloFY. and bbe" been sip assuring staatte Is la ~ eviasace frome~wlQfBed at- The activists have used a variety ton top =bills that would prohibit ities. Third, the activists know of other tactics as well. the selling and distribution of irra to Piny dirt y--+.g•9 preying on P yi • Picketing. In 1966, they pick. diated products within their states. pie s [ear of nuclear accidents or Y e[fnn TiCYYh MV - • ms NM dioactive fallout-in order to get to deny the consumer his choice, the of Food Technologists, American their objective met. The end result is activists are only underscoring the Medical Association, and many oth- that activists are trying to suffocate i fact that they are motivated by their i ers. In fact, no expert government the progress of food irradiation in own special interests, and not by the body has ever stated "that irradi- any way they can. Diehl (1990) cor- interests of the consumer whom they ated foods are unsafe." i rectlyobserved: "In the last 30 years claim to represent. Yet, despite the evidence, activ- of its history, food irradiation has a "Not Enough Research Has i iota make the claim that not enough again and again been burdened with Been Done to determine if irradi• research has been done. But on what demands no other processing j ated foods are safe." Research on I technical expertise are they basing method has ever had to meet." food irradiation has been ongoing their judgment? Diehl (1990) noted for the past 40 year, making food that evaluating an animal feeding Assessing Activist Claims imdiahon the mostacrutinized pro- study, for example, requires medical Opponents of food irradiation : case in the history of food preserve- j knowledge, experience with toxicity bove made several claims which have I tion (Kantor, 1989). To give some testa, and an understanding of sta- been reported by the media, but as idea of tbis vest amount of research, tistia. It a highly doubtful that ac- s rule have gone unchallenged. The Diehl (1990) noted that since 1956, a twists would be able to interpret following in an assessment of some of bibliography on food Irradiation has correctly the mass of data before thew Claims been prepared by the Federal Re- them: nor would they be able to per- 7 *"Consumers Will Not Accept search Cluster for Nutrition, Karp- calve the difference between a prop- irradiated foods." Several authors i rubs, Federal Republic of Germany, Orly executed study and a poorly (e.g. Marcotte, 1988; Diehl, 1990; and it contains nearly 9000 doca- done one. If they lack the technical Bi sn and Schutz, IM; and Iaaba• manta The data gathere4 from tour expertise necessary, how then can rams, 1989) have reported that mar- decades of studies have confirmed they possibly know that not enough ket tests and consumer attitude re- the following: (1) no unique nmU- research has been done? search conducted ~y t the olytic products have been found In In mairin thew claim, activists world do not bear out this claim- irradiated foods; (Y) there is no evi- are demanding an abaolute prwf of According to these studies, there is done to suggest that free radicals irradiation's safety. However, soon- 0o evidence to suggest that informed formed is irradiated foods are toxic tints know that there is no such thin consumers will not choose foods carcinogenic, or even different from as a "sero" risk. FDA (1986) note identifiedasbeingIrradiated; infact, hoe to calm formed by frying, bak- "Safety requires proof of a reasoc- education about the benefits and ing, or exposure to sunlight; and (3) able certainty that no harm will re- safety of irradiation and products of nutrient retention of irradiated cult... It does not-and cannot superior qualityappear to be sigaif- foods is similar to that of host pro- require proof beyond any possible ieant factors in inHuen their de- coved foods (Josephson, 1989; Ur• doubt that no harm will ra. elisions to accept irrsdi prod- bain,1989; Maclean, 1990). suit under any conceivable eireum nets in addition, marketing trends On May 2 1990, the Food and stances." Because it is impossible u may also have a positive impact. Drruugg Administration approved irra• prove a negative, activists know the Hareotte (1988) noted that time diation for hash and frozen un- can keep making their claim ove trends include a growing interest in cooked poultry products. Medium and over again. fresh fruits and vogetables, sops- radiation doom up to 300 kilorad an Activists are not motivated by ai dally imported tropical and exotic permitted. FDA has ass approved ob*tive assessment of food irradi fruits; concern about chemical resi- irradiation at certain doses for the cation. Rather, they are interested i dues; and the growing knowledge of following: in 1986, for treating fruits stirring up controversy and one doe microbial pa an contamination and vegetables and dry or dehy not need technical expertise for the of poultry and other foods. drated harbs, spices, seeds, tees, and Claiming that not enough researe Tire validity of the claim that vegotabs N in 1986; for has been done, citing studies tbi consumers will not accept irradiated I inactivating N u trichinae parasite haw since been contradicted foss can only be determined when, In pork; In 1954, for inhibiting the shown to be poorly executed, or. or if, consumers me given the op- s mating of white potatoes; and in repeating emotional charges th portunity to select atsd purchase a 1983, for disinfesting wheat and have been refuted over and ov variety of irradiated foods in the wheat flour. again an all effectiva ways to fan t' marketplace (Bruhn and Schutz, In addition W FDA's approval, 8re. Ironically, activists claim th 1989; t oaharanu,1989; Loans, INS). acceptance of irradiation as a eats loons information is necessary, b However, activists are doing every- proem has come from such organi• they themselves provide no new e thing in their power to deny con- nations and committees u the It idence to support this claim sumers that choice. This is ironic Expert Committee on Wholesome- *"Irradiation Is Not Need because while they claim that con- was of Irradiated Foods (npnsent• because there are other rases att semen will not accept irradiated Ing the World Health Organiret - methods available." products, they are not willing to we the Internal Atomic Eaer~y Agency, might be tusti8ed if we lived it of the marketplace will bear them and the Food and Agricuituro prga- Utopia However, we lice is a we out. It is aso ironic because they nixation of the United Nations), the where there an foodborne disew portray the experts as the ones un• Council for Agricultural Science and where alternatives are desired vustworthy, even sinistsr. By trying Technology (CAST), the Institute chemical pesticides. and where tb (Countering Tactics and Claims continued) exists the problem of hunger and the public-not just byy stopping Diehl (1990) estimated tl. malnutrition, particularly in Third harmful practices, but also by pro- ! portion of irradiated foods u World countries where the popu la- moting those which increase U.S. will probably not exceed 1 tion is expected to double in a single safety.... In the light of this, it is the end of the century and no generation. These problems can right to add the weapon of irradia• 1 than 5% in the long-range ft never be solved if we maintain that tion to the armoury of measures to According to Hall (1989), ther the world is good enough as it is, that secure the safety of food" (Gummer, be no mass conversion. Irradi we no longer have a need for im- 1989). ! will only find a few small niche provi food preservation. • 'Irradiation Facilities Pose medutely. Giddings (1989) Irradiation has the potential to Safety Hazards that threaten ; scribed the commercialization solve certain problems that other communities, workers, and the on- gradual, selective, niche-findin methods cannot sufficiently address. vironnaent." Such a claim tries to ems" These include the following: i link irradiation with the nuclear in- It is quite unlikely, therefore. 1. By reducing or eliminating dustry. Historically, however, food irradiation facilities will prolife pathogen contamination in meats irradiation development to~g pre (But wen if they did, they woule and poultry, irradiation can lessen dated the nuclear age (God Pose any health or safety probl the incidence of foodbwme illnesses. 1989). Furthermore, it was mostly as already iadicatsd is thu anti About 40% of the chicken produced . food scientists, not members of the • "Irradiation Makes Spo in the U.S. is contaminated with I nuclear industry that developed and Foods Marketable and deco salmonella or other bacteria (Jo- promoted the method (Disebhtt,1990). the consumer." Irradiation cax ssphson, 1990). Archer (1986) esti- Although this link is a false one, ac- reverse spoilage or deterioration mated 24-81 million cases of food- tivists make it because it conjures up am only arrest or slow it down. borne diarrbeal disease per year in I in the mind of the consumer spoiled food Lutes and smells be the United States. Medical care and thoughts of nuclear accidents and will still taste and smell bad afte lost productivity may amount to waste disposal, and blurs the dls- radiation, and will be rejected bI W17 billion. tinction between irradiated foods consumer (Diehl, 1990; Eves, I & Irradiation may serve as an al- and radioactive foods. However an Kileast and Eves, 1990). tsnmtive to chemical fumigants. irradiation facility is totally drier- s "Irradiation Sills SnolI This is o~cularly important be- ant from a nuclear plant. There are Organisms and lets ba n cause ethylene dibromida has been no materials present which can gen- velopp undetected." Green. j e banned by tAh~e~Un.S. Environmental erate an explosion or contaminate (INS) showed that fresh beef Protection TSis ry as a suspected the surrounding environment; an- pork, sterilized by Irradiation carcinogen. fumigant has been ergy levels in processing food are low inoculated with C botulinum, used to control insects on fruits, and produce little hsat and strict velop obvious signs of spoilage vegetables, cereals, and nuts. Other safety precautions are taken for pro- fore becoming toxic. The claim t fumi ants are also under investiga- tatting employees UPT, 1987). irradiation will eliminate the sp tion Diehl, 1990). Moreover, most facilities us Co- age orgadlsms and allow C. bot. 8. Some countries lose better , bait-t)0 which is not a nuclear waste nun to develop unchecked its inc than 60% of their harvest to bugs material; other facilities use elec- rect. Waco control of botulism and spoilage. Irradiation can de- tron accelerators (Dishl,1990). It is panda not on the existence stroy insects in grains, fruits and . ironic that even as activists chap competing bacteria, but on mair vegetables after harvest, anJ can safety concerns, for the put 20 years nonce of hygienic conditions and delay the ri pening of certain fruit. radiation sources ban sterilised tention to temperature control (:o Comwauenytl , irndiattot? has the radical products without problem clean, 1990; Gummer, 1990). potential to help eau world bungs: and traoaportatioa of radioactive a "Consumers Can Be Harm providing that stomp conditions of material or these purposes have by foods that have been overdo! the~~~(~ted [coda are adequate been carefully safed sad can due to a malfunction in the irrad (Bedsaul, 1980). ducted without incident ties facility." If a food is exposed 4. Irradiation can auks available, a "Prollteration of Irradiation doses that are too high, changes a larger quantity and a wider variety Facilities will follow if inedia food will occur that will be ob of foods to consumers. For instance, is allowed." Ir»disdon, lib , odor, texture, tas it makes possible imported fruit other processing method, is not suit- add col wiII , seriously a8ecu and vegetables of a quality that is able for all foods--e.g., in and the product will be reject supenor than thou processed by products off-flavors an develop add (Diehl, 1980). Other methods. in other products texture and cdor r" above advantayss demon- can be affected. Rather, irradiation How to Respond strata that food irradiation may help can only be used for epee app Realistically, if food irradiation secure the idety of the world food cations end for s"dft benetitC It is to achieve it full potentis xu =p i . In his explanation of why nut some kind o "mist le procw" her of hurdles have to be arc United Kingdom lifted it ban designg to rep all otlnr pro. Misnelativepublicity generated on irradiation. the Minister of Agri- assio methods~ceCousequently, if- opponent of the process has to culture, Fiaheriss, and Food said, radiated foods willonly mob up • countered. Consumers have to "Government has a duty to protect emallpercentageoftbemarkstplam made aware of the benefits ? e yfety of irradiated producta. Food the defensive. Such a took may mean Peril? Protnrd Foods, August 1909• p. 62. - Processed Poultry poultry irradiatke products. ~~Ia 8 it~d lalion. between the nations boo redefinin education-finding new G' again). IM. ha~rrr/Pabe~ey . la. ~obe harmonized (Loaharanw 1988 and perhaps more personal ways to fcale, 1888). And, of courser foo~ present information, tailoring im• G=1102=01. lttar1909.diva N.ot W .K., Processors will have to feel that diction to make it most the coeds of 195 Toxin production adiation is cost-effective com• the individual and consider the pay sad breakdown to vacuum pared to other methods before they eboloq orton mo psychs at o[ez the taond to food ataumsr. epaeaa kap I omu inoculated with Clog- are willing to financially invest in It The u?ca ad i imp botulinua Food Research 23(6): (VAIL 1989). and health protaasioule-food ad. Guanine. J. is*. Gummer pleases comm. Meeting the" hurdles prove entists, dietitians, home economists, as wUl abow on food irradiation. Press m~ayY anddoctors. Scientific aim tie0 Whit dAmino. Fish- to be a tall order. espsdaDy sins nutritioaLt, eeir. k P04 wbwb.u Iosdon, gusting literature does not seem to journabandorganizationsmustlead e.vt+bar a 190. offer any detailed, o d Dien the way in providing more inform. Nas L res. Conswomi.R.auoa of the for negsting bad pub edit ty. It is es• lion to thewgroups rso that they can god irradiation Fromm Food TochuA pchnic thereforar that creative, dieseminato the nform"'on to the (ice, bt 19M. Opponents threamn to ahcicl minds come together to ownlmar. And finally the eduction h-i - FlwMaehnu. The twasa. Deoem- I develop such a plan and articles be boo to start with the students them- bar a. 190, Lakeland. Fla wou written that provide specific augges- wives They moat be made aware of Nuakas would be may to A" ~ 4:; coca Presentations and literature the technical aspect of irradiation an 81111A J. Marrh 31, 1907. i that deal only with the technical oo- so that they can counter the claims VT. 107. FOIMOCU ea food tmdt tion. A ~ct~ of irradiation will not get the of activist, but that must also be aeMstiae stases by the <tapart I hurdles cleared aware that irradiation In a political Fission Food Sdh$@, a~cd~tutrdtim leati. ON of Fend Ted wWooisw Cbkafe. IL. On a more optimistic note, there a addpeyehotogkal Law an we1L Fad Tacked. a: ion are several actions that au poetara r ttu hunilm an be sa its. Food prow"doa In of insdtation can take tbit may cleared will be answered by tuns. jn ra•.so1 yearbook da.ea positively inSuanca she outcome For the preeeot, however, then T_GTe"WM in" P. 14L -Hill rot instance, a Clos'b reLdio'nshiyp one other t>ting that food prom. w oatre.dtauomBoon with the media moat deunloped sionafa can der can learn from car knee 1. hr os. sasat®aa Fro. Pastcoversgsoffoodirradiatbn,fl this particular oontroveesty. HY e+esdu .d1Yla°°°d°•M.dl.°°Ceaare anything. bas demonstrated the learning from it, they an better of Apiculem and We 8olsom Spring 9motionallam and a relationship: pnpar themsel iaataro9alsa. wta.F.b. 119 IbLVL need for an improved n" of )&yaw trovemen sad themselves for future non- ~'e4 . sa a eoo ...MaO • son" se of hy9te L% on. rig has been em~phuised over ad=. Mae. roemared by Tic. C mw for Me tact; =have played on References Atamkaadistleaa TkeMamrhu- the tear that irradiated foods are n- AGAC. 19M im diadc&. xm ita time ar• sad' Dept' of PWAt H~Tke Tusk dWaatiVa (Hugh", 198'11; Claims rleadt The Rdaesa. YeL 1{. Ns 1. Aa• ~g~00je d Tuft Uat . me& by activists bate unChal• sa ISIAM d oalaid Analytical Ckemiat& x~Ap t T. Tdis Vnivanity. Medford. A 014 YIft a longed; atompb~ Viet to atop Archer L 199E Eeesamk lmpasatiosa d Kaatar. Hest 1900. The trod food Irredie- irrldia s, I ba boos teatttred teed~ane dknbd dLew. In "New Ilao• tic Ibis LtaroadomV Mini in the Now A aympodus " y. (Htlghe1987);and activLtsources lead Torheah tisasL. sob 1 faR ~Audita Intarna-are 6 haw be~an Qquoted far anon Cltsa Bads. G. 19e9a is hamd6 up over Knew. D. suss A. 1999 roes imdla• )tlhlasn aciaatitic a~L MV P toad bredktioa The I,edsor, Dammbor a. .tom. A tyymat Food Mmterace. WwUhUZC ity b the L atcetes that bT. a" owed" M1 uUMMM says no to 4nd . jLaem~fC rW Jostl M wing nor of b §di• the consumer about the advantages atiea 4dYt1'. TM Locher. DeaSmbar 6, Men to poem foodpo FDA Cew.um r. tM n& 2011L that irradiation offers. Since Con. 90411 LF 1tAkw"9IL Food bradisdow AuNa F. 19M. Intaandead trade in dktd foods Ra9iaaai Status sad out- reported b3tnewl- lateenetkbe9. p. 1. kn IhUMIL a m rs to much of we t[OID what is Wawa- becomes ~ Ao4ns hL an tfoes4 Fork OL Wk. Fed Taebad. S3(il. 77. ir- iw0.WeWeVamsiaaaomfoobedwh• Besaaaw .M „,aNn,m tied paps qw. for 1M9 Cos Morime.D. From fr ppaappaarsra at OO it outlook snoop ~ytia eaeioe ndeSSe imparatiw that food protessiodaL team of food tndktioa Food Teelaol IV K Ap"WI6 MKION t Food, work with the media Not tidy moat sa(7i 9a ge~y twt9o avaa taw. Y Flom I.eadaa Bog. Marob 1. tteb~rr eduate epertre abtheyout them- the 6066- Mood Dekber. IxdNw York. Moemt., M 1900. consumer .ee.et.ae. of "edaooa" ofirtadiatioW A leeadiatina our CuaM?aaa swas elves must be wwitive to what m aemroted FodM.mdaoture Atr{aa taw. d hoL Nardi. Istarsarke.f ~,.a~ regard TSi t ostarle. Canada. oo stories. The tact p.sa I M,~ ties a brsdiatios. hat~ Irradiation can help solve the FDA JUL IreadWiea is the tlx Tasd Msaa6tur+a tr rf1 P. tie probltm of salmonella msy, it coin. ry„. Admla, Fed.I~ftae, ett ta9rm adnaiaa• e sa M to tomorrow. m uoicated correctly, make for a very lDQ, ws. aaer~aidie dksadlhsd Food and px t91R nosseJed The ad ~ dramatic story. In addition to wocldat with the Drag fie- sea ttis sets media, poem at ireadia'We oid~dm. G. a N.1. bedkuan mist es•k~other ways to educate the his fed 1w7.vac9r- as consumer and keep the activists on Giddbp. G. JUL kradiatioso P op or casts loin-rood nCtwotoov er T MILKING FEAR i 0 SCARE UP MONEY JLLA 20, 199$ BY LARRY KaTZE\s-rEI\ Food & Water's outrageous conduct tit engineered products. Bach as the Fla%r5ast tomato. centun - most intensn'eiv since the earn 19505 t'ennont motivated me to write this article, that are now amvmt on store shelves. wnen the L.S. Army began testing a as a way to pre. Philosophically Food & slater is right in sync serve food rations. Its benefits include killing pests ~e hid) describes the urtSnvorY tntti[5 ttr)t with the Cnabomber.'whose tenor-by-mail rampage on domestic and imported produce, extending the Food & Water has relied on throughout its - 16 bombs, 22 peopie %sounded and thin dead- is shelf life of food and destroying harmful bacteria existence. Running this article z if paid adver- fueled ov his hatted of what he calls a corrupt such as salmonella that cause food poisoning hsentent [timed out to be the only practical technological and industrial society. When the Food irradiation is now used in some 40 tour- Unabomber mailed his anti-technology manifesto tries !including Great Britain. France, the former war to get it into print. 1 have not accepted to the New York Times last month the claims he Soviet Union and the Netherlands) on well over alit payment for this article, but instead have won't kill again provided that the entire document 100 foods, from apples to trog legs. kind until Foci asked Cabot to contribute $2,000 to the is published), he took a swipe at genetic engineering & Water came along, it aroused little interest or Vermont Land Tnut. by listing the return address as Calgene Inc.. the debate in the U.S. maker of the FlavrSavr tomato. I first became interested in food irradiation and Thanks to friends in Vermont, I've been keep- Similarly, the "return address" for Food & Food & Water in 1981. when 1 was a health writer at ing up with Food Is Water's campaign agtiust Water's Vermont campaign is Monsanto, maker of Consumer Reports. And the more t studied uadia- Cabot Creasery and recombinant bovine growth genetically engineered rBGH. "What's wrong with a tion and examined the charges made against it, the hormone 4GH)..Among the material sent to me little healthy distrust of companies like Monsanto?" more I realized the technology wu'am rorerstal' was Food & Water's widely distributed June 6 letter, - Food & Water asked Vermonters in a recent broad- only because food Is Water made it so. The article in Which the group gave Cabot an ultimatum: side against Cabot Creamery. 1 eventually wrote. for the December 1992 issue of Guarantee your products are "rBGH-free" or face "a The lesson is cr star cleat. All manmade them- American Health. was called Food Irradiation: The real Food & Water campaign." icals and processes must be considered guilty until Fans Behind the Scare. A condensed version As a health writer and editor - first at proven Innocent," Food & Water founder Wally ('Good Food You Can't Get") appeared in the July Consumer Reports, now at American Health Bumstein has declared. And after reaching its 1993 Issue of Reader's Digest. magazine - I've followed Food It Water nearly anhan atic gnHty verdict, Food & Water imposes Food irradiation essentially pamstrizes food, from its inception. So I feel I can tell Vermonters a hush sentence, as Cabot bin discovered- killing more thin 99% of bacteria and other organ- what to expect from a "real Food & Water campaign" 'If you want to be associated with Monsanto, isms. It does not make food radioactive. It's akin to and offer them some insights into this self-styled Roberta, go right ahead" said Bumstein in a voice. what happens when you send your luggage "food safety group" that professes such gnat concern mail message that he left for Cabot spokesperson through an airport scanner: Your suitcase is irradi- for their health and welfare. Roberta MacDonald last month. "But if you want to ated but doesn't become radioactive. Unfortunately, The dram unfolding in vermont is just make a Bvln& if you want to have a dean reputation, evidence of safety and effectiveness are no match the latest production to a long-running show, then you'd better listen to Food & Water If you for a good conspiracy theory, a favorite Food & performed to sized reviews In new Jersey, don't listen, Robetta. you guys are going to go down Water tactic. Florida and several other slates Minor plot the tubes." 2. Create a comphug. changes are penciled in. but the basic script for "a Bumstein a retired Denville, N.J., osteopath Food & Water rivals any paramilitary group in real Food & Water campaign" contains the same and longtime ants-nuclear activist, founded Food & expressing profound suspicions about the Federal standard props. Water in 1986. Burstein was soon joined by government Y• drug or piroceiiii nme- Michael Colby, a 1986 dropout from the University roue co- 1. Demonize new tedanohr;la. of Iowa who had majored in Jounulism and political adppro approval Food & Watt has even won government Remember the Luddites, the English rioters of honestly. In every case, the group the early IBM who smashed textile machinery science lithe only ").Colby he ever took college, tends, the Fels have allowed - sometimes even ven he told me me proudly). Colby rnarned the boss's nielb that had put them out of work? Food & Water is a and is now the group's executive director. In 1991, encouraged - glans corporations to foist that toxic direct descendant of those opponents of the wars on an unsuspecting nation of'guirw pigs," Industrial Revolution but with a modem twist. Colby relocated Food & Water's headquarters; from a term used often in Food Is Water literature. Rath) than bash new technologies with sledge- New York City to Marshfield. Vermont, where he In Vermont, of course, the cabal involves lives on a farm his stepfather bought him. The duo Monsanto and the FDA. which have presumably hammer. Food It Water w{ddt far - to beep of Bumsten and Colby shape Food & Water policy conspued to smirch rBGH on the public ICs hardly techaafegies tram wb dog paw arxeptaalb, and tactics. eliminate big companies in favor of small, family- 1986, nuclear power was moribund and the the tint time food & Water has used such a tactic. In Typi owned enterprise, and scum up donations totaling nuclear arms ram was winding down, so food & may' W nmpalgn Bpi" fend irradiation more than half a million dollars last year alone. The Water set its sights on food irradiation, a food- lapped directly into the peak's dlsteart of income insures that Food & Water's staff, unlike the 8A unfortunate Luddites, wig never face penury. protesting technology that the U.S. Food and Drug Picture a plan of food, a mushroom cloud hov- eed & Ware's crusade against rBGH has glum AdmWStsation had approved earlier that year for tinting alcove and this slogan: THE DEPARTMENT Food & a taste of the group's 9GH h s give . use on fruits and vegetables. Attacking food iradia- OF ENERGY HAS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM The hormone's e's symbolism - the lint genetically tion would offer Food It Water a mans of pursuing OF RADIOACTIVE WASFE YOU'RE GOING TO The hormone's - its and-nuclei agenda, Just as the group's want EAT fI. That soahe, featured on Lshins sold by makes eIt an ngineered d agricultural product r Water t to target be et marketed battle against rBGH is its way of attacking genetic Food & Wars, ap rism the essence of a classic Food fail fan ova rBGH, the group hopes By areas- to tarn mfg' & Water t'arupbacy cheats: that food irtad'utlon is f Fred the Wblk against the maty other Rm etkallY antic recently, y, y, has Irradiation. nl beeFood & n ns S stu udied White's since e early sae in target this nothing more it= an Energy DepanmmUfndustry has ,theme for utilizing cesium-13' trom nuaeat tmr makes :Goes ucsate. changes the molecniu Kited ro Stock .rraeiated products, ace ccn,mr --caste. Mereover. removing cesium-13,- trom the ,rr,c*ti e c (cod. oesrrovs naments. and nest crud- are,cared the procucts will glow in me der, '.v taste offers the chance to extract plutonium as es snow that ingesting radianen-a posed toods the distomons and scare tactics desene most o -,ell. to be tasmoned into nuclear •seapons. ;auses genetic damage, which can lead to cancer creep for scaring serf consumers. another stoo!, A bizarre plot. to be sure. But in the late !980's. and cinh defects. 'rood & lsater a.moaigns -the boccon :Wrest - -r hen hysteria user rood Iradiation was at as peak, Can sou do an%ming about :his' 1"e5. sou can. ',,orl,ed well against businesses r.mg the process to nuclear power and nuclear ?eil tour supermarket manager sou oppose na%ing 5• Bo~Oft companies. .seapons did more than anything else to make it an :adtatson-exposed foods in }'out store and youeon t Rather than boycott entire states, as ;t threat. emotional issue. Suffice it to say that onis' one of like shopping in a store that carves them. Were ened to do in Florida. Food & 1\arer more n-ptca,.• the 30 irradiators in the U.S. actually uses cestm-13; Food & water. Incorporated. For more intonnationr threatens to boycott companies. Such ertons a as its radiation source. All the others. including the all us Food & Water trademark. im'oh a persistent phone only one used for food irradiation, use cobalt-60, This radio ad was pan of Food & Water's calls and letters generated by a handful of svmpa- which has no connection with nuclear waste. national media campaign against Floridan fruits thizersTelling food companies If sou want us rc r-- and vegetables. "We're recommending that con- buy your products, then avoid irradiation has Public health expert regard sumers avoid ail foods from Florida. * Michael Colby worked extremely well - a fact Food & Water s stated in a Food & Water press release. Ilf history never shy about noon 'With our effective, ece- foodborne illness as by far the repeats itself, Vermont's dairy farmers - not to on-the-bill activism, we've presented hundreds of most serious threat we face from mention the state's economy - could soon face companies from exposing food to imdiation,' the some difficulties.) grose boasted in its recent "Dear Fellow food. Up to 81 million such This campaign was launched because the , P 1 ermonter" letter. "Our campaigns tuve convinced illnesses occur each year in the nation s first commercial food irradiation t was y ~n fruit and vegetable distributors. the poultm mdusmU.S.,causingsome9,OOOdeaths. neanngcompletion fear Tampa. andFood It Water and the smood industry to steer clear of irradiation wanted to insure the plant would have no customers The list of companies that have capitulated :o -for its products. The effort won Food & Water few Food & Waters boycott threats includes food Inclusion When the FDA approved the irradiation of fans in Florida's state government giants such as Campbell Soup, H. J. Heinz, Krart poultr y in 1990, Food & Water called the argon One of the campaign's claims - that Florida's General Foods Ralston Purina, a dozen poultry "nothing short of a criminal act.' A Food & Water Citrus Commission and Department of Citrus had processors, and major supermarket chains including press release quoted Bumstein as saying, "I'm "pledged' to avoid using irradation - promptedthe A&P, Pathmark. Acme and Albettwn's. In fag. outraged by this criminal decision. It appears that Department of Citrus to demand that Food & Water Colby recently boasted that his group has defeated the only way to protect the public is to lock up the "cease and desist the false use of our names" or face every company it has ever confronted. leaden of the FDA." a Ifbd suit And the radio ad provoked Florida's Actually, locking up the leaden of Food & agriculture Commissioner, Bob Crawford, to send a 6 Demand absolute safety. _ Water would be a better way to protect people. strongly worded letter of condemnation to the For Food & Water, a new technology can I. Public health experts regard foodbome Illness as by state's newspapers, "'this ad relies on the worst be trusted, and "more studies' must always be done far the most serious threat we face from food. Up to kind of scare tactic," Crawford wrote. 'It encour. to fm'e that it's safe. Then, so matter bow exbaus. 81 million such Writhes omar each year in the U.S., ages the public to be afraid of sometbing they tine or knithl A study, the group belittles it. causing some 9,000 deaths. Using Irradiation widely dom't know much about." Food & Water will Insist, as it has with rBGH and on poultry alone could prevent hundreds of thou- The radio ad, which Food & Water had food irradiation, that the long-term effects on sands of illnesses and hundreds of deaths each year, promised to "play nationwide." never aired outside humans remain unknown. Of course, that's true for according to Federal officials. And meat irradiation. Florida. But in inflammatory content did inspire an any new product. including antibiotics, pain relies- which should soon receive approval, can eliminate article in The Wall Street journal for which ers and even laundry detergents. But in Food & the deadly strain of E soli that in 1993 killed three Bumstein was interviewed. 'We do this stuff Water's narrow world view, only the poisonous clildren who ate undetcooked hamburgers at because we're desper he was quoted as saving. fruits of new technologies must mat its tmpossibh fast-food restaurants and sickens up to 20.000 'We have to use every means we have to stop this high standards. Americans each year. tedmology.' AB too of erk Food & Water's favorite 'means" for 3. Fear is the best weapon. 'tan s" da~g something is to make unsub. Ironically, food irradiation and Food & water's was agafnu food irradiation has rBGIf do have something in played on two common concerns: anxiety over 4. Maize thirsts up. g food safety and - especially after Chernobyl and Dining its nearly 10 years in business, Food Is common: a dearth of evidence Three Mik island - deep distrust of anything Watr bas aosinbliayy gad recklesay, made involving ndiatlon. As Food & Water readies its timeless charge[a. For example, to bolster its favonte that either of them actually nationwide campaign against Cabot products. ICs conspiracy theory, Food It Water has long claimed does cause cancer. worth looking back at an anti-(mdiatlon campaign that 'Government plans call for the construction of it waged in 1991. The campaign's 'national radio up to 1,000 food Irradiation facilities across the ,yr. the centerpiece of in safety concerns. Food advertisement,' broadcast on 57 radio stations, comity." But when 1 asked Colby to document that & Water will trot out allegations of harm and may be a preview of what Cabot can expect: claim. he could provide no evidence to support it. demand that those favoring a process or drug prove "What If you found out that those fresh hunts To chronicle all of Food it Water's reckless its change; wrong. While the group has alleged a and vegetables everyme keeps telling you to ea charges would requite a separate article, but the litany of as resse health effects over the years. Its more of might (pane) kW you? radio ad above prwWes a good sample Every scary alltime fao0slee is cancer. 'No joke Bemuse supermarkets have started cWm the ad makn about food madiation - that It selling rid indan•aPosed foods: spices, processed might came genetic dsroage, cancer, birth defects, 7. Cry 00i foods and soots mew and bulb and vegetables. etc. - is false. 'What we like to suers at Food & Water I. 'The supermuldeb claim this irradiation pre- Tlanis Wgely to Food & Water's efforts, food health Implications of some of these technologies. serves foods, but many scientists are saying Unitas- companies are sand to use Irradiation, :torn we to stress the cancer Me,' said Michael Colby in a l 1990 radio ine rest Indeed, no Food 6: hater Most telhngi}, this group a passionate to pre. aw e and hcAmg. campaign is complete wuhout charges or 'cancer sent cancer has no er uttered 3 ,Ord about cancer On :he remaining !our opponents. one is . r a word lath unequaled poster to arouse rear and risks from cigarette smoking, b, :at the most :mpor. iamuei Epstein. a proremor at the I nn ersia rv%lsion. Food & waters long camparen against (ant cause of cancer in the Cara States. According !Ilinois Medical Center in Chicago. ~9111 3 cocc,c nod irradiation taught the group a valuable lesson ` to the Amencan Cancer Socicn smoUng causes When you don't have science on y an our side - and 8741 of cases of lung cancer - -.`.e leading cause of Epstein, it turns out, i5 the Food k Water never does - you r win people cancer in both men and women - and accounts for over by crying cancer. about 301h of all cancer deaths. only "health professional and Food & Water's fight against food irradiation Why the silence? Food & %ater's sources of n has stressed one argument above all others: Anyone income may be one reason. In tae fiscal sear ended physician' in the entire COUntrs' rash enough to eat irradiated food is courting June 30, 1994, the group recened 5188,000 from who claims that rBGH causes almost certain death from cancer. "Doctors and sct the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, part I dancer enlists are concerned that radiation-exposed food of the Reynolds tobacco format and, over the can cause cancer." the group stated in a typical yams, Food & Water's most generous donor. press release in 1992. The reason cancer occurs: Such donations can have a corrupting influence on of years ago. Epstein was a member of Food o 'Exposing food to radiation creates dangerous recipients. as Food & Water itself has noted. The Waters board of directors and its vice president for unique residues in the food, some of which are Spring 1994 issue of the groups newsletter, Safe special projects. Since he'll soon be staining in Food known carcinogens." Food News, attacked the Hudson Institute, which & Water press conferences on the 'link" between While researching my food irradiation amcfe. had recently published a book favorable towards rBGH and cancer, it's worth knowing comet ung I asked Colby to name some of these "unique" pesticides: "it should come as no surprise that the about him. cancer-causing chemicals. "No one has identified Hudson Institute receives funding from big chemical Epstein has gained national prominence by them," Colby told me. "We know they exist. thev companies including Eli Lilly and Dow. The claiming that man-made chemicals are causing a just haven't been Identified,' meaning that Food & Institute even has a DuPont strong on its board of cancer epidemic One observer of Epstein's career Water's most suamful feat campaign is bated directors. Money talks.' since 1980 is Dr. Victor Herbert, a professor of med- on hypothetical chemicals in Michael Colby" & Clain scientl(ic support. icine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New mind No tatter what the issue, depend on Food & York City and chief of the Hematology and And as Vermonters know, cancer plan a promi- Water to claim that scientists are on is side. In its Nutrition Research laboratory at the Veterans nent role in Food & Water's battle against Cabot June 6 letter, the group told Vermonters that within Affairs Medical Center there. Herbert told me that and rBGH. In an Urgent Action Alert headlined a month "a ma of new srhntihc report will be b Epstein `has always been a flaky individual falsely "Cabot Creamery to Accept rBGH Milk!' Food & dished in a peer-reviewed journal which wig further representing that harmless food additives are harm. Water wrote: "Some scientists have even expressed explore the rBGH-cancer fink.' But as one who has ful and that the food industry is out to get us all. concerns about the possible link between rBGH He's basically a kook and is clearly delusional." followed this group ton hearty IO pecan, I've teamed heated milk and colon tumors and cancer." that the overwhelming majority of scientists But it's Epstein's position as a board member Ironically, food irradiation and rBGH do have strongly dissignot with whatever position had and former scientific dhrecion of an Iowa-based something in common: a dearth of evidence that k Water takes. group called People Against Cancer that especially either of them actually does cause cancer. For example, Food & Water often insists that rankles Herbert, who is one of the nation's most The search for cancer or some other hazard "numerous objective scientists' agree with is vigorous opponents of health quackery. Herbert lurking in irradiated food has been going on for 40 stance a says that this group, which champions altematiye who've food irradiation. But i face, most so- Years and has come up empty-handed. That effort, enlists w who've expressed an m opinion about food cancer treatments, "s mooing a multimillion dollar advocates say, has made irradiation the most thor- irradiation have endorsed it as have numerous fraudulent cancer remedy scam.` The fact that oughly studied of all food-processing technologies, health and scientific organizations, including the Epstein is associated with People Against Cancer, As for rBGH, allegations that it poses a risk for American Medical Association, and the World Herbert says, "tells you something about the quj cancer and other health problems are entirely Heft organization and Food and Agriculture of his thmking.' bogus. In November 1993, the Clinton administra- last year, Epstein treated headlines with his tion assembled a team of 40 experts from seven claim that girds and women who drink milk from federal agencies to review the scientific evidence on Epstein °hasS always been a flaky rBGH-treated cows face an increased risk for breast rBGH. Its report, Issued the following January, badivldual faduly representing cancer Anxious inquiries triggered by Epstein s found 'no evidence that jrBGHI poses a health claim prompted the American Cancer Society to threat to humans or animals' and called rBGH'the that harmless food additives issue a statement that rBGH "enuals no health risks most examined ankml drug ever approved for use are harmful and that the food for consumers.' And in a scathing letter, the FDA in the U.S.' told Epstein that his breast-cancer charges were Food & Water professes deep concern for cancer industry is out to get us all. 'riot only not substantiated in the scientific liters- victims: 'Our eyes remain fixed on the prize of a He's basdeatly a kook and is tore, but, in fact, have no basis in science.` society with fewer cancer, not more' it writes to Not surprisingly, Food & Water her embraced its June 6 letter to Cabot. "If you ever etpenence ckally delusional. Epsttln's renegade cancer claims and features them the unspeakable sadness of regularly seeing in its campaign against rBGH and Cabot. children with wigs due to hair loss associated with Organization of the United Nations. When I asked 'Actardkng to the Cancer Prevention Coalition, an cancer treatments, you'll understand why our orga- Food & Watt, fa the names of some food hzadia- hsdependent organization directed by health pro- mation doesn't believe in accepting even the don opponents, l was sent a list of six'aedentiakd faiddinals and physicians, injection of j in possibility of Increased cancer risks to consumer.' scientists' to contact. Only two had done resandt dairy cpIn hW Food d& of WuBn growth factor Yet Food h Water's smack for sodas cancer on food irradiation, and neither wanted to be letter to C O tier tabmilk.' Food & Water wrote re is June 6 when k" sot is makW only by its ability described as opposing it. One of them even told rut, M. 'The cbnsumptlon of inatattd levels to overlook cancer risks that are sesainely •I,ve probably eaten mere irudiated strawberries of IGF-1 fa proteinhormone found in tiny amounts important than anyone else in ibe United States, and I'm utll in of j may lead to an increased risk of breast and other n pes ni cancer. `;one other than Epstein sahna. and the amount or thn iGF-l people swallow dcorge Fritscn. the third ncuee one : wd heads the ,ndepenuent Cancer Prevention each dac is mach greater man their oossible exposure lt'a[er press conferences. is a :c:.reo cat Coalition, vn¢h is based in-Chicago, Epstein it from drinking milk from costs receiving rBGH. researcher who •,vorked it Rosweii ?r.. ~Jettto.. :urns out, is the only 'health professional and Aliegations mat IGF! could pose a cancer risk for Insarute in Buffalo N.1. Tntsch is an o.,: and teiiab:e phcstcian' in the entire counm who claims that milk drinkers have been thoroughly investigated Food t ~%ater alto taithrulli ;esnn-in-r.:ne gtoup s rBGH causes cancer. and dismissed by the organizations that subsequenth behalf at numerous rood irradiation- oset In its June d letter. Food & Water sacs it endorsed rBGH as safe, mc:uding the National the tears. Tatschs expertise -he dtscc.ces ninfsett 'intends to hold press conferences throughout the Institutes of Health in in technical assessment con- as a rree-radical biochemist - has some te:evance to northeast to publicize' a 'major new soentific ference on rBGH. the World Health Organization. food irradiation but has absolutely r trung to oc report' that will "further explore the rBGH-cancer the American Academy of Pediatrics and the with rBGH. Bc recruiting Trirsch to -ash rBGH link." The letter connnues: We'll bring scientists American Medical Association. Food & Rater shows how desperate .:.s to find a and let people know that if they're buying dairy warm body to support its alarmist claims. products from Cabot, there is growing evidence 1GF•1 is also a natural 1'ou can be sure that Food & Rater is euphonc 'hat those products may lead to cancer" Late word over as t'ermont campagn. As usual. sa scaretactics from Food & Water is that its first press conference component of human saliva, and threats have brought it huge amounts of it" will occur later this month and will feature Epstein and the amount of this I617•1 pubhoty and probably an upsurge in conanons as along with two Ph.D.'s, Michael Hansen and well.Achievingthecampaignskevobjernve - forcing George Tntsch. people swallow each day is Cabot to surrender over its rBGH policy - could Hansen, a former colleague of mine at much greater than their possible help Food & Water attain its long-sought goal of Consumers Union, is a research associate with CU's escaping from relative obscurity and becoming a Consumer Policv Institute, an activist arm of CU exposure from drinking milk nationally influential activist group. that lobbies for environmental issues and doesn't from cows receiving rBGH. !f that scenario bothers Vermonters - and if test rBHG or anything else. He formulated CU's ,you're tired of being deceived over a nonexistent position opposing rBGH and is CU's chief health risk - then take the advice of the .Addiswi spokesman on the issue. While Hansen publicizes his claims about rBGH Counts, Indepmdnrt. which asked its readers to show A search for Hansen's publications in scientific and cancer - in McCaIIT and Family Life magazines, some "good old Yankee vengeance" be calling Food journals turned up three - all dealing with pesticide on the CBS Evening News and at numerous rBGH & Water's toll free number iMEAT•SAFEI to tie up policy issues, none with rBHG. His single paper an legislative hearings around the country - his its lines. As a bonus, each call to that number will cost rBHG was written for CU in 1990 and entitled employer denies them. the group money. And buy a box of Cabot butter - "Biotechnology & Milk Benefit or Threat?" It In a letter last December responding to an article the only product Cabot makes that ought possibi prompted a strongly worded 14-page response from in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, CU be made with milk from rBGH•supplemented c, the FDA in which the agency pointed out 33 "major president Rhoda Karpatkin did just that. "Your - and mail the box to Food & Water at Depot areas of inaccuracy." report implies that CU cvrrentl believes the use of Rd., RRI, Box llq, Slarshfldd, VT 05658.97Mr. Along with Epstein, Hansen claims that rBGH rBGH increases consumers' cancer risk. That is not Every box you buy is a boost for Cabot and a vote poses a risk for breast and colon cancer because it the case," Karpatkin wrote. So when you hear against Food & W'ater's efforts to manipulate vou. boosts levels of IGF• I. But this protein hormone is Hansen talk about rBGH and cancer and claim that Food & Water said it best in a recent fund-raising digested when milk is consumed. Furthermore, the he speaks for Consumers Union, that is not the letter: "Enough is enough'" same IGFd is also a natural component of human case, either. And buy a box of Cabot butter - the only product Cabot makes that might possibly be made with milk from rBGH•supplemented cows - and mail the box to Food & Water at Depot Hill Rd, RR1, Box 114, Marshfield, VT 05658-9702. Every box you buy is a boost for Cabot and a vote against Food & Water's e f forts to manipulate you. i ca v4o CABOT IS OWNED BY THE DAM FAMEAS OF AGw-MAas, THE I.sll DAM ODDPWTM LN THE NOEIHEAsr. In order to publish this article in its entirety, tlu cost has been wderwrittm by AO-Mark, Cabot employees, and fndlviduals and businesses concerned about Fwd & Wares assault on Cabot Creamery Cooperadw. AA IRRADIATION IS NOT NEEDED AND COULD ACTUALLY DAII-AAGE HAWAII'S EXPORT INDUSTRIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE. P Hawaii now has two non-toxic methods to treat fruit for fruit fly infestation. These are the old vapor heat AL- 16:4 method and the improved High Temperature Forced Air Method. 0 The Big Island has 3 vapor heat facilities that are working below capacity. Dole, on Oahu, has invested in 2 forced air units and is reporting high quality results. Dole has 500 acres planted in papaya and 300 to 500 acres in other exotic tropical fruits. The forced air can be used for a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Mike Williamson PhD, who designed the forced air unit, reports that the University of Hawaii receives $10,000 for every unit sold abroad. Fi}i, the Cook Islands and Tonga have purchased units. Australia is interested. Dr. Williamson has this to say about agriculture and irradiation. Speaking from M years of professional experience in Hawaii agricultural industries, he says: % "The problem of our export agriculture is low production and uneven supply to the market, not a lack of treatment facilities. It would be unfortunate if the island of Hawaii became identified with "irradiation" since such a reputation could endanger all of our agricultural exports regardless of the method of post-harvest treatment." What About Meat Irradiation? Have you ever wondered why 85% to 90% of meat is reported as being contaminated? 1 Ten years ago there was not much of a problom. Meat contamination is on the n_se f because animals are kept in cruel and unsanitary confinement, high speed slaughtering I practices are spilling fecal matter over the carcasses, and animals are being fed chicken manure, dead dogs and cats and the waste products from slaughterhouses themselves. Can humans be in such gross violation of the natural order and not expect consequences? Would you like to buy meat with irradiated or non-irradiated fecal matter? SUPPORT LOCAL AG. BUY CLEAN MEAT AVAILABLE IN HEALTH FOOD STORES. BUY MOUNTAIN APPLE (KTA) AND PARKER RANCH MEATS. CLEAN MEAT DOES NOT NEED IRRADIATION. IF MEAT NEEDS z t IRRADIATION THERV IS SOMF'r'"TNG TERRIBLY WRONG WITH ITS ia~ r(ii:'., OTt0Wdk_V 9AVAeW4009 Please Read this Fact Sheet about Food Irradiation What is Food Irradiation? Food irradiation is a process in which food is exposed to ionizing. radiation emitted from radioactive material, either cobalt-60 or cesium-137. Food absorbs massive amounts of radiation compared to that which would kill a person, in the name of killing pests and prolonging shelf life. Six foot thick concrete walls are needed to shield workers and the surrounding community from the intensive bombardment of ionizing radiation, What Are the Problems with Building an Irradiator in Hilo? Irradiation facilities have had accidents which resulted in ground and water contamination. Radioactive trash has been thrown out with the regular trash and radioactive water has been flushed into public sewer systems. Deaths have resulted from worker error and equipment malfunction. Safety has been sacrificed in order to avoid losing money. An incident of contamination could result in the permanent and complete shutdown of such a facility throwing any industries dependent on it, into chaos. Exposure to even low doses of ionizing radiation has been proven to cause cancer, birth defects and genetic disease. A recent epidemiological study released by UCLA concluded that low dose radiation is 6 to 8 times more dangerous than previously thought. Irradiation facilities are allowed by law to emit radiation into the surrounding community equal to natural background radiation and in special circumstances emissions are allowed per year that are 5 times greater. Workers can receive 30 to 50 times more radiation in one year than one would receive from natural background sources. John Gofman MD, PhD estimates that 83,000 cancer deaths a year are caused by natural background radiation in a population of 250 million. Intense bombardment of food with ionizing radiation creates carcinogenic chemicals, destroys vitamins and damages beneficial fatty acids in those foods. This has repeatedly been shown to be true, in many scientific studies. The FDA has acknowledged that it is true. No reputable scientist would deny it. The controversy has always been over whether or not these effects were significant health hazards. Now we are hearing extreme pro-irradiation propaganda that there are no carcinogenic chemicals nor are there nutrients destroyed in food exposed to radiation. Do not believe it. If you have questions or want supporting information and references please contact: IRRADIATION FREE FOOD HAWABl PO BOX 11350 Hilo, HI. 96721 (8081966-6846 VISXXA JIJL-31-1998 0851 P. 21101 TO WhamBMayCeo0lm: Apdaftf14rw~1mbyL~rllyabtWilbeo~oo dtomsttdmaol~sbtbttNl~Yof MR wbiThWAbtw~Ndw~bwtsoe~od~w~iep vino appta~tdomott of aairMwt. 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