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Re: Food irradiation---do seeds sprout? Did that denaturethe
It is interesting to note that Mr. Phelps seems to think that organic foods are free from fertilizers and pesticides. Au contraire , Mr. Phelps, organic farmers do use pesticides and do use fertilizers. Organic farming typically relies on mostly natural fertilizers and pesticides, altho some semi-synthetics are being used. (I am not sure what is worse, cow manure with all of its E.Coli (which we know can and does kill) or a pesticide for which there is speculative data as to its "harmful" effects) . As for spices, those that are not irradiated, are treated with chemicals, typically a gas to kill all of the bugs and other good things that would come along with your allspice and other exotic spices. (I'm sure that most people prefer not to see their spices crawl off the table.) This gas can leave a residue on the spices. If taste is the only consideration, then we should all grow our own foodstuffs. Unfortunately, we live in a very complex world, with the vast major!
ity of people well removed from their food sources. Preservation of food, so that it can get to market, be sold and last for more than a day or two in the household pantry are important considerations for many people. And like everything else in society, there are choices to be made and with those choices come a cost. In the case of food, we often sacrifice taste in order to have tomatoes in Boston in January or fresh strawberries in NYC (where most people clearly don't grow their own) . Food irradiation has been safely used in other parts of the world for many years, and it appears to be a good choice with a low cost and good return and no widespread health effects. If you were to read news clippings of about 100 years ago, when pasteurization of milk was first introduced, you would see the same concerns about "alteration of the milk", "introduction of foreign substances", "unnatural". "unhealthy". Now most of us wouldn't drink any milk that wasn't pasteurized.
Just my thoughts and not those of my employer.
P.A. Milligan
pxm@nrc.gov
>>> <Magnu96196@aol.com> 04/02 9:32 PM >>>
In a message dated 4/2/00 5:57:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time, StevenFrey writes:
<< Thus, he implies that he has superior judgment (and therefore, the moral
highground). The nerve!
Sir, have you even actually tasted irradiated food? I doubt it.
Until you do, your claims about the taste of irradiated foods are without
merit, and come close to being irresponsible.
======
Good Evening Mr. Fry,
In expressing an opinion, I don't believe I claimed any special
superpowers, however, if you wish to think so, be my guest. It is also
real common to see opinion ventured on the list, and I have no idea of how
superior some are, I just look for the common sense.
I have tried various spices, which have been allowed to be irradiated for
some time. I can say that when I go to the local health food store that
they do sell spices that do have little labels that specifically
say---non-irradiated organic. And, in fact and contrary to you
overstatement, I have tried both and the non-irradiated ones are more
flavor-full. Now that is just my opinion---------you may like the
other----which is fine-----to each his own. This is no way means I am an
organic or holistic food promoter---however-----I am listening to what these
folks say ---- and looking for the reasons behind it.
I have also tried a few other irradiated foods and even experimented on
what all the rage is about organic grown foods vs those with fertilizers and
pesticides----and again, my opionion, is that the organics have more flavor.
And they also have lots less unwanted chemicals------from a few toxic
metals to some fluorine and chlorine pesticides-----which are connected to
health effects. Now certainly you don't want me to litter the list with a
few dozen references about that----to boring. These opionions are most
obvious as just being my observations. Now certainly, we don't want to get
into colledge degrees for taste testing.
Another thing that is noticed is the health food types like to eat
sprouted seeds and grains, because they think this more beneficial, as the
vitimin content is seen to rise, acidity change, etc. One problem with the
irradiated seeds is they won't sprout, which would tend to say the radiation
effect killed them. Logic used there. This is one more obvious instance
of a food being harmed by this technique.
While you may be all for irradiation, there is an entire group of folks
not so convinced as you that irradiation is all good. My vote is still
out-----did you hear me totally put down irradiation-------don't think
so-----however I did raise some questions. Irradiation does kill bacteria
and all kinds of little unwanted organisms in food. BUT-- What happens if a
country becomes depended on this technique, how does one go to a third world
country and eat. The question, from logic again, then must arise ---- Will
the widespead use of this hide immune system compromise caused by bad air,
all kinds of things in the water and food. How in the world did the human
race survive all this time without irradiation? Will we need a personal
irradiator to travel outside the US to insure we don't get sick from little
bugs in food? Is there a thing called the immune system and does it protect
us from disease-------and can it be compromized by toxic pollution? Will
irradiation mask this effect in the society---------and if it
does------------will that be all good?
Is that irresponsible to look at both the short and long term effects of
irradiations or the even the taste effects, or how it impacts the organic
lifestyles? Some might call that learning and being open minded.
One more little thing to think about. I would guess you would admit
that UV-b is a form of ionizing radiation. One of the things doctors are
becoming more aware of is the effects of UV-b [from fluorescent lighting
leakage] on PVC IV bags----ie the slight effects of radiolysis breaking down
the PVC and producing some free chlorine ions that get injected into persons.
Some doc's now place light barriers around these IV bags to lessen this
effect. Now the same thing comes to mind with food irradiators. Do they
first seal up the bag--------then irradiate the food----------this so no air
contamination gets sealed in with the food? If so, what are these bags
made from---------and what kinds of free radicals are induced in the food in
the long term from this?
Folks have the right to be fully informed of all the in and outs of
irradiation, and not just industry PR playing up the good side and losing the
down side--------there is always a balance.
Have you sought a balance?
Jim Phelps, thinking and near Oak Ridge, the toxic superfund site.
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