Re: Food Irradiation Symbol

["Busby, Bruce" <bab1303@doh.wa.gov>]

Hi all

The labeling of irradiated food is a hot topic right now. The main thing 
to keep in mind is that the radura (and the required text) is for  
consumer information, and is NOT a warning.  Warning means there is 
something of danger or evil or a hazard involved. Because the radura 
looks similar to other warning symbols (biohazard, trefoil, the EPA), 
some of the people involved in developing food irradiation would rather 
not have it used. Right now it does not have to be more prominent than 
other consumer information.  Some of the anti-food irradiation folks are 
pushing for the label to be more of a warning. I think we need to be 
careful how we talk about the labeling, especially in the press 
[opinion]. Also, I think if put in the right light, the labeling will be 
a plus, meaning "safer food" and "longer shelflife", the same way we see 
pasteurization as a good label. 


--------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce A. Busby    -     Radiation Health Physicist
W- bab1303@doh.wa.gov      H-babusby@aol.com
Rad Prot. Div. - Dept. of Health - Washington State
7171 Cleanwater Lane, Bldg. 5   Olympia, WA  98504

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