IP: irradiated food dangers [boosting organics] (citizen.org)

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Public Citizen is a Ralph Nader organization with a good but controversial 
reputation djf

> Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001 17:23:16 -0800
> From:
> To: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
>
>
> Subject: irradiated food dangers [boosting organics] (citizen.org)
>
> FDA Ignoring Evidence that New Chemicals Created in Irradiated Food Could
> Be Harmful
>
> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ignored growing evidence
> that a new class of chemicals formed when food is irradiated could be
> harmful, according to a report released today by Public Citizen and the
> Center for Food Safety.
>
> The groups are urging the FDA to refrain from legalizing irradiation for
> any additional types of food until the new chemicals are tested for safety.
>
> The chemicals, called cyclobutanones, do not occur naturally anywhere on
> Earth. They recently were found to cause genetic damage in rats, and
> genetic and cellular damage in human and rat cells.
>
> The groups' report, Hidden Harm, details how the FDA has ignored this
> unique class of chemicals, which are created in many irradiated foods that
> the agency has legalized for sale in this country -- including beef, pork,
> chicken, lamb, eggs, mangoes and papayas. It is expected that
> cyclobutanones also would be formed in many other foods the FDA is
> currently considering to legalize for irradiation.
>
> The organizations today also released a sworn affidavit of toxicologist
> William Au, who was retained by the groups to independently review the
> risks posed by cyclobutanones and other chemicals formed by irradiation
> that could cause genetic damage.
>
> Along with a letter outlining numerous health concerns caused by food
> irradiation, the groups filed Hidden Harm and Au's affidavit with the FDA
> to oppose pending petitions to legalize irradiation for processed foods,
> which comprise 37 percent of the typical American's diet; molluscan
> shellfish, such as clams and oysters; crustacean shellfish, such as
> lobsters and shrimp; and meat products.
>
> A fifth petition seeks to double the maximum dose of radiation to which
> poultry can legally be exposed.
>
> "The risk that the FDA is taking with the health of the American people
> cannot be overstated," said Wenonah Hauter, director of Public Citizen's
> Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program. "If government officials
> knowingly allow people to eat food that contains these chemicals, they are
> courting a major public health disaster."

<snip>

> Hidden Harm can be viewed at
> http://www.citizen.org/documents/HiddenHarm_-_PDF.pdf.
>
> Au's affidavit is available at
> http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/food_irrad/articles.cfm?ID=6516

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