FDA likely to approve meat irradiation-Spokesman

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

The following is positive news!
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Wednesday October 8 5:58 PM EDT 

FDA likely to approve meat irradiation-Spokesman

WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuter) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was
likely to approve irradiation of red meat in the next few months, a
spokesman said Wednesday. 

``We hope to render a decision soon,'' said spokesman Arthur Whitmore.


He said a decision might come at the end of this year ``that is likely
to be an approval for red meat for microbial contaminants.''

For three years, FDA has been reviewing a request from Isomedix, of
Hackensack, New Jersey, for approval to use irradiation on red meat. 

Irradiation, which relies on low-power ionization to kill pathogens,
already has been approved for spices and pork. 

Public acceptance has been low. Proponents say irradiation is mistaken
for nuclear radiation. 

FDA reform bills passed by the House and Senate would allow foodmakers
to eliminate from their labels the ``radura'' logo for irradiation and
use a smaller typeface to say the product was treated by irradiation.
The food industry backed the change. 

``Legislation that downsizes the radura and disclosure information on
labels...simply fuels the fires of consumer concern,'' said Nancy
Donley of the consumer group Safe Tables Our Priority. ``Why try to
hide the fact that the food is irradiate if you have, in fact, nothing
to hide?'' 

The House version of the FDA bill also contained language calling on
FDA to rule promptly on meat irradiation. 
------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
sandyfl@ix.netcom.com
sperle@icnpharm.com

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