Re: FDA likely to approve meat irradiation-Spokesman

[Muckerheide <muckerheide@mediaone.net>]

Wesley M. Dunn wrote:

most correctly!

> I would like to take issue with a few "knowns" in this discussion,
> some of which are still pushed my members of this listserver:
> 
> First, I dispute that the public, as a whole, is concerned with
> irradiation of food.  I have never met one individual who was not a
> "save the world" type who was against food irradiation.  The only
> people who seem concerned are the "concerned citizens", the media, and
> the public officials.  People, on the other hand, wonder what the big
> deal is.

For the overwhelming majority, absolutely!

> Second, just because a news article says "nuclear radiation" doesn't
> mean that's the comparison "people" are worried about.  People are
> worried about radioactive contamination, not IRradiation.  The anti-
> food activists always hammer about food contamination (e.g., free
> radicals in YOUR food!), not about the fact the radioactive material
> and the food never touch.

Anyone with an x-ray knows they aren't made radioactive by "irradiation".
 
> Third, its disingenious to say "if you have nothing to hide, why
> complain about the label?".  The true public always says "if it has
> to be labeled, it must be dangerous".  Odd as it may seem, most of
> the true public actually thinks the government is trying to do its
> job.  If the government says its dangerous, people generally believe
> it to be true.  If it was safe, then the government wouldn't be
> putting all these restrictions on, now would they?

Amen! As the anti's don't kill radiation science. The _government_, thru NCRP,
and EPA, DOE, NRC, etc, and WE! do by our _actions_ - which make lies of our
words (ever wonder what is said by those "we need to explain radiation in the
schools" initiatives?)  Without those, the anti's would be substantially
ineffective, and policies would be (relatively) rational on rad risks and
limits. NCRP has implemented Gofman's standards. And look at the great work
the HPS Presidents have produced the last 2 years, then look at the nonsense
about negligible doses and interventions by some HPs, committed to ignore all
objective data and stretch any dismal non-science rhetoric to justify
responding to radiation at negligible dose. At least there's been a breath of
recognition in the self-interest basis for these actions.

> Wes

Thanks, Wes.

Regards, Jim Muckerheide
muckerheide@mediaone.net

> > Date sent:      Wed, 8 Oct 97 19:28:07 -0500
> > Send reply to:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> > From:           "Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>
> > To:             Multiple recipients of list
> <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
> > Subject:        FDA likely to approve meat irradiation-Spokesman
> 
> > The following is positive news!
> > =======================
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > 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?''
> >
> 
> *********************************************************************
> Wesley M. Dunn, CHP                        512-834-6688
> Deputy Director, Licensing                 512-834-6690 (fax)
> (Texas) Bureau of Radiation Control        wdunn@brc1.tdh.state.tx.us
> *********************************************************************