why not just claim you sent it through yer healthilizer..shheeesh

[Guest guest]

http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/diet.fitness/10/09/food.irradiation.reut/index.ht\

ml

 

Irradiated food gets image boost

Wednesday, October 9, 2002 Posted: 3:35 PM EDT (1935 GMT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

--

 

Story Tools

 

 

 

 

--

 

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- U.S. food companies can seek federal approval to avoid

using the word " irradiation " on labels of foods treated with the disease-killing

process, and instead use language such as " cold pasteurization, " the Food and

Drug Administration said Tuesday.

 

Irradiation, which has been endorsed by the World Health Organization, exposes

food to low doses of electrons or gamma rays to destroy deadly microorganisms

such as E. coli O157:H7 and salmonella. It has been approved by U.S. regulators

for use with raw chicken and beef as well as spices and dried seasonings.

 

The FDA issued guidelines explaining how companies can petition the agency to

use more neutral language on the label of food treated with irradiation.

 

American foodmakers have been slow to adopt the treatment for raw meat and

poultry because of the cost of the equipment and worries about consumer

acceptance.

 

Some green groups and environmentalists fear using high-energy radiation in food

products could have harmful side effects for consumers.

 

Currently, foods treated with the technology must carry labels saying either

" treated with irradiation " or " treated by radiation. " They must also bear a

special symbol, known as the radura, which consists of green petals in a broken

circle.

 

Some food makers that want to use irradiation say consumers interpret the radura

symbol and the word " irradiation " as a food safety warning. Critics say the

industry is trying to use euphemisms to hide that their products were

irradiated.

 

The six-year U.S. farm law, implemented in May, required the FDA to consider

easing its labeling requirements.

 

In its industry guidelines, the FDA said any company can apply to revise its

irradiation labels as long as the new label is not false or misleading.

 

In its petition, a food company must submit consumer research that shows a

comprehension of the proposed label.

 

The FDA said it will either accept or deny the application within six months.

 

An FDA spokeswoman said the agency was expected to soon publish proposed changes

to the current labeling requirements.