simple green petals in a broken circle

[Guest guest]

The process of food irradiation is also called “cold pasteurization,” because it

eliminates harmful bacteria without the use of heat.

<snip>.

 

In the United States, irradiation of food was first approved for spices and

seasonings by the FDA in 1963. Since then, food irradiation has been approved

for fresh fruits and vegetables

 

<snip>

 

In the future, irradiation may also serve as an effective alternative to some

pesticides, for example, a substitute to the fumigant used for pest control

during storage or for quarantine required in international commerce.

 

Food irradiation does not make foods radioactive because the process moves food

through the energy field, never touching the energy source. It is similar to how

light passes through a window. The process produces little change in flavor or

odor. Nutrient content is affected similarly to that with cooking, canning, or

freezing.

 

<snip>

 

Additional quantitative research in April 2002 by IFIC indicates that consumers

were willing to purchase irradiated products after viewing messages regarding

treating foods “for your safety.”

 

Under federal regulations, irradiated food must be identified on product labels

with the international symbol for irradiation (the Radura), simple green petals

in a broken circle. This symbol must be accompanied by the words, “treated by

irradiation” or “treated with radiation.” The 2002 Farm Bill authorized use of

terms such as “cold pasteurization” when consumer research indicates they are

more descriptive and understood. Both the FDA and USDA allow for use of

additional statements of public health benefit on labels of irradiated food

products, such as, “to eliminate harmful bacteria.”

 

<snip> full text @ http://www.ific.org/food/safety/index.cfm

 

/

 

why don't i trust this ?

 

from, http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/issues/irradiated.html

 

Starting in 2003, the USDA began allowing irradiated fruits and vegetables to be

imported into the U.S. All irradiated produce imported from foreign countries is

supposed to be labeled, but critics say the U.S. government inspects only two

percent of imported food and that irradiated fruits and vegetables may not be

labeled as required.

 

/

 

but wait there's more...

 

Irradiated fruits and vegetables benefit the packer and grocer, not the farmer

or consumer. The consumer receives an inferior product that appears fresh, but

has depleted vitamins and enzymes

 

http://www.organicconsumers.org/irradlink.html

 

 

 

<sigh>

 

 

 

anyone have a solution beyond know your farmer ?