Irradiated "organics"???

[Pat Robinson]

Talk to me about irradiated foods! What about whole foods, "organic" foods, are they irradiated too? I've never seen Anything labeled with this information!

Apparently, they've been irradiating wheat flour (since 1963). And meat & poultry since the '90s. It is perfectly safe according to this "fact sheet" prepared... by the UW Food Irradiation Education Group - (an obviously objective source!).

"When microbes present in the food are irradiated, the energy from the radiation breaks the bonds in the DNA molecules, causing defects in the genetic instructions."

"In addition, irradiation is widely used to sterilize a variety of medical and household products, such as joint implants, band-aids, baby pacifiers, cosmetic ingredients, wine and bottle corks, and food packaging materials."

"FDA's red meat approval added another product category to the already lengthy list of foods the agency has approved for irradiation since 1963. These include poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, dry spices, seasonings, and enzymes.

As part of its approval, FDA requires that irradiated foods include labeling with either the statement "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation" and the international symbol for irradiation, the radura. ***Irradiation labeling requirements apply only to foods sold in stores.***For example, irradiated spices or fresh strawberries should be labeled. When used as ingredients in other foods, however, the label of the other food does not need to describe these ingredients as irradiated. Irradiation labeling also does not apply to restaurant foods."
http://www.fda.gov/Food/Fo odIngredientsPackaging/Irr adiatedFoodPackaging/ucm081050.htm

 

HOWEVER, because the words "radiation" and "irradiation" may have negative connotations, the labeling requirement has been viewed as an obstacle to consumer acceptance.

Many in the food industry believe that an alternative wording, e.g. "electronically pasteurized," would be helpful.

In 1997, Congress attempted to resolve this issues in two ways. First, it mandated that the FDA could not require print size on a label statement to be larger than that required for ingredients and second, it directed the FDA to reconsider the label requirement and to seek public comment on possible changes.

The FDA had not in fact mandated a type size but did require a statement that would be "prominent and conspicuous." In response to this congressional directive, the FDA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in 1999 seeking public comment on the labeling of irradiated food, particularly on whether the current label may be misleading by implying a warning and invited suggestions of alternative labeling that would inform consumers without improperly alarming them.

Thousands of comments were received, with a large number compiled into a categorical database for further examination by the CFSAN's Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements.

This leading office for labeling policy has not yet determined whether there will be a change in labeling requirements.

 

Anyone have any links with more accurate information than I've been able to locate?

 

More discussion.

 

Pat

[Pat Robinson]

From researching further, it appears that organics can NOT be irradiated, thankfully.

All irradiated foods must be labeled using the radura and some wording, but only to the FIRST PURCHASER, who is often NOT the consumer.

More discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/HealThyself/posts/145413362189239

[Sarah Thompson]

And for added creepiness (OT), the docs irradiate all the blood products that I receive in transfusion b/c I am a transplant candidate forever. Eww.

[Pat Robinson]

{{{hugs}}}

 

Our body is resilient!

 

Pat

[Pat Robinson]

http://www.organicconsumers.org/Irrad/LabelingStatus.cfm

Which Foods Can Be Irradiated in the U.S. ? All irradiated foods must be labeled using the radura and some wording, but only to the FIRST PURCHASER, who is often NOT the consumer.

Organic foods cannot be irradiated.

1963: wheat flour
1964: white potatoes
1986: spices, herbs, herb teas, pork, fruits and vegetables
1992: poultry
1997: beef
1999: Refrigerated or frozen raw beef, pork, lamb, and poultry.
2000: eggs in the shell, seeds for sprouting (like alfalfa)
2002: Imported fruits and vegetables
2002: Meat purchased by the National School Lunch Program

Consumers will NOT see the wording or radura for:
* Multiple ingredient products where some, but not all of the individual ingredients were irradiated.
* Irradiated ingredients in foods prepared or served by restaurants, salad bars, hotels, airlines, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc.
* Irradiated foods prepared by delis or supermarket take-out counters.
* Spices and herb teas
* Sprouts grown from irradiated seeds
* Ingredients in supplements
* Plant-food ingredients that are processed again (like apples in applesauce or papaya in a salad-bar salad).