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***NO IRRADIATED VEGGIES!! Radiation kills bacteria... and also the nutrients in the food. so until you can prove that there is no damage to the food itself and it's nutrients, there should be NO radiation!
***As a practicing medical doctor I am appalled at the proposal to irradiate vegetables. There are
numerous reported adverse effects on foods including free radical formation, degradation of vitamins and essential fatty acids, and formation benzene and toluene toxins. All of these dangerous alterations to the group of foods which are among the most healthful. Multiple other strategies exist to make our nation's food "safer."
1) Prevention by keeping facilities clean and culling out infested fruits and vegetables
2) Heat treatments
3) Cold treatments (These treatments increase or decrease the temperature of the fruit or vegetable for short periods of time, killing the pests)
4) Controlling the atmospheres of shipping containers (where CO2 or nitrogen is kept high and oxygen is kept low, suffocating pests)
The richest nation on earth can do better. We should not "nuke" our food.
Sincerely, Doug Leaman MD
*** do not want my veggies radiated. It kills all the good too. Please leave them alone.
***I am so disappointed that we have tended to solve problems by creating more problems. Please, let's clean up our act, rather than irradiating it. Please reverse this decision and give us the opportunity to change our ways. At the very least, labeling MUST be enforced. Labeling of GMO, irradiation, cloned, etc. foods MUST be enforced by all who sell and service such items. The labeling as organic must also be strengthened, not weakened. Our standards should be getting tougher, not weaker. Don't allow sloppy practices to be rewarded by further degrading our food with irradiation. Further, not requiring labeling by all who sell and serve would be a further crime.
Thanks for listening. Connie Stonebraker
***I want to clean up our food supply not cover up with foocUnadlatlan.:: ........." irradiated products must be labeled as "treated with ionizIng radiation" which Is different from "Pasteurization",
***Do not alter our food supply! it's that simple
***I am writing to protest the FDA's plan to irradiate lettuce and spinach. I am
against all irradiating of food. This will make the food more dangerous, not safer. It causes the formation of free radicals which will make the body more susceptible to cancer and other serious problems. Irradiation will create mutant forms of dangerous bacteria and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals. Irradiation of foods will destroy vitamins and essential fatty acids. We will unknowingly be eating irradiated foods whenever we dine out. Our children will be eating these foods at their schools.
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The FDA Lacks Vision!.
***Hi Please don't allow something as stupid as irradiating our fresh produce! Ari
***Leave nature be nature do not disturb the natural cycle of life...we don't need or
want irradiated food. Please take concern of our will. WE can clean our vegetables
by ourselves with just simple vinegar. have a nice day
***I eat vegetables because they are full of life and nutrients. Now, if someone treats
them with something that kills life (bacteria), doesn't it make sense that it will also kill the nutrients of the vegetable as well? Radiation will generate free radicals and toxic molecules that we don't see in nature. This will be extremely dangerous to my immune system.
***I'm opposed to allowing irradiation of human food for the following reasons: the formation of carcinogenic chemicals and free radicals, nutrient loss, lab
testing that has shown a range of negative health consequences, and possible
creation of mutant forms of dangerous bacteria.
*** Make the industry clean up their act and leave the food alone. What is the point of eating food that has been irradiated? Our food is poisoned with chemicals now. Why do you think organic food has become so popular? We don't want to be poisoned. Just stop it!!
***Don't destroy our food supply through irradiation. We can accept the minimal risk of encountering food-borne pathogens. We cannot accept the guaranteed
destruction of the nutritional value of our food supply in order to protect of
from this risk.
***I am incensed about the way this government allows big business to run amuck in the name of profits. The numbers of health issues speaks for itself here. America is being sickened by this industry getting away with so-called better ways of feeding the nation. It reality it's a bitter way of killing a nation. Please stop the irradiation of foods and all other tainted ways of feeding us. We are the fattest nation in the world. WHY? Wakeup big government!!!
***please. DO NOT IRRADIATE OUR FOOD...PLEASE LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AND RECONSIDER THANK YOU
***I am opposed to the use of irradiation. At a minimum, any irradiated foods must carry a label and consumer information - at the point of consumer contact, not just in the supply chain.
My expertise is in agriculture and food safety but my concerns are also based in
my work, as an environmental journalist. First, it is not 100% effective. It
does leave some toxic residue. And it creates another "dirty" industry with its
own health, safety, environmental impacts and waste. Adding layer on layer of
expensive high-tech onto food sanitation problems only makes matters worse,
looking at the big picture. The solution is to clean up the contamination at the
source. If these regs are adopted it will let original producers off the hook,
add expenses to tax payer burden (for waste and health impacts) and let foods
that are no longer nutritious stay on the shelves beyond a reasonable time.
***
I do not condone the use of ionizing radiation to treat foods. As a consumer, I
do not think that the risks of irradiation foods (health risks, decreased
nutrient value in foods, and so much more) justify its use. PLEASE, do not put
these foods on the shelf. If you do, keep the labeling those products that are
irradiated (so that I will not buy them).
***please STOP irradiating our produce!
***I am against irradiation of lettuce and spinach. i eat leafy vegetables every day of my life. I want to know what i am eating at restaurants and in every kind of market.
***If veggies are being irradiated I want them clearly labeled so I can stay the hell away from them!
***This is beyond detrimental to human life-and all life. EVERYONE involved in this action and the support of it should be brought to trial in the world court! This government and its agencies may continue to pull the wool over the eyes of the ignorant; but their numbers grow smaller everyday.
***This is an outrage to humanity and non humans alike. Anyone who is seriously trying to pass this regulation of irradiating our food should seriously think about what food is for. It is for nutrients and health, and if you irradiate food it loses most of it's nutrients and creates free radicals which are known to cause cancer. Do the
math, radiation + cells = Cancer. This regulation will not pass and if The FDA
some how skips this by the public and it does pass, the FDA is in for a big
demand for change or possibly elimination. The FDA serves the American public,
and the The American public will not accept such non-sense. So do your duty and
think about things before you make fools out of your selves.
Thank you and expect more comments. Sincerely, concerned citezen
*** Ladies and Gentlemen. This amounts to another hare-brained scheme to "protect"
the public using high doses of deadly radiation on the most critical link in the
health and well being of the American public. This radiation will kill the life within the food that the American public is eating. It is this living force which is transmitted into the body of the individual which accounts for the future vitality or lack of vitality of human beings. After 40 years in medicine I can tell you absolutely that food is MUCH MORE than just a chemical soup.....if that were the case we could all live on McDonalds and vitamin pills....... What we actually are eating is the life force from the living beings...plants and animals... which are essential to our health and lives. Like it or not this IS the case....Furthermore, we know that radiation causes mutations to the genetic material (DNA, etc), proteins and oils within living organisms. What we do not know is the level at which these ingested materials are incorporated into the living substance of the consuming being/animal (human in this case) who is digesting them. Will the consumption of radiation altered and mutated DNA and other essential (and living) nutrients cause cancer or other problems for the individual as their bodies try to incorporate these mutated/modified irradiated compounds into their own structures? There is a high rate of probability that they could easily do that.
What's more, the irradiation of micro organisms is anything but certain of causing
death of all the potential toxic organisms...likewise, mutations can easily occur
there, most especially in commercial production facilities where semi-skilled
workers and production "deadlines" can easily mean sufficient radiation is almost
certain NOT to get to all the product uniformly...... Don't say it won't
happen......You KNOW it will!
What's more, cutting edge research on the necessity of "probiotic" micro
organisms in our digestive systems is proving beyond a doubt that friendly bacteria from the soil and the earth are absolutely essential to the health of humans and other animals and is ingested from our food as well....
To sum up. This is another boondoggle foisted on an unsuspecting public with the purported "good intention" of "saving lives"... I propose vehemently that it will do just the opposite and decrease the health of an already over medicated,
chronically ill society. Please don't try to "protect" us by destroying the only thing good things left that are still available to Americans by irradiating our food!
***
***The use of ionizing radiation on food will not kill viruses, which are the main source of food borne illnesses. Irradiation also has the potential to create "superbugs", just as the use of antibiotics has.
*** PLEASE STOP GMO'S. IRRADIATE FOODS.
***I find it unconscionable that the food industry wants to use ionizing radiation to make food last indefinitely. Not only do you wipe out bacteria, but how about all those nutrients, too, that get wiped out? Aren't those nutrients what food is all about?! Milk used to last a week. Now it lasts two months. If this regulation passes, our great-great-great grandchildren will be drinking TODAY'S milk! This is a horrible regulation. Please stop it from being implemented. Ardith Cole
***Please do not apply radiation to my food! I am concerned about the known and unknown risks of consumption of radiation-treated foods. If you are to allow this you should require a prominent statement to the consumer at grocery stores and
on restaurant menus. sincerely, Joseph Neron
***Please consider the consequences involved in irradiating spinach and lettuce, or any food source
for that matter. It is difficult enough for our population to be well informed of which foods to eat. Lettuce and spinach are one of our unprocessed food choices, so it would truly be a shame to see them depleted of essential vitamins and minerals. Please also consider the source of the problem and the benefits of cleaning up agricultural processes. Irradiation will never substitute for clean
farming practices.
***I am extremely opposed to the use of ionizing radiation on food. The research is clear that this treatment of food is unhealthy. (a) I would not eat food treated with ionizing radiation. (b) I would insist that all food treated that way be CLEARLY LABELED so that I could avoid buying it.(c) I would counsel all my students and clients to avoid food treated this way. I am a Ph.D. psychologist, with extensive training in nutrition. Dr. Michael Dean Goodman
Boca Raton FL 561-350-3930
***I oppose the irradiation of spinach and lettuce as a method of disease control in the factory-farmed food system.
I oppose it because of well documented major concerns with food irradiation,
such as nutrients loss and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals (like benzene
and toluene). I also oppose it because it represents a band-aid that doesn't
deal with the fundamental problem of unsanitary conditions in the industrial
feedlots.
***Please clean up the processes and DO NOT irradiate lettuce and spinach. To kill precious nutrients just does not make sense.
***The irradiation of lettuce and spinach is not a good idea. There are serious health
risks associated with food that has received such treatment. I want the greens I
eat to promote my health, not endanger it. The cancer risks are just too great to
use this method. Why not clean up the land and water instead?
Also, all irradiated food should be labeled as such, not just in the grocery store but anywhere is is sold or served.
***To whom it may concern,
I strongly oppose the newly allowed irradiation of lettuce and spinach. While this is only two vegetables to begin with, it could easily become widespread to fruits and vegetables in only a matter of time. Although this irradiation can kill harmful bacteria living in the vegetables, it also depletes the food of its natural nutrients and vitamins. A number of people may die each year due to certain contaminated foods, but putting the entire U.S. population at risk to save such a small number is ridiculous. If this irradiation is allowed to continue, the irradiated products should be clearly labeled as such so that consumers are aware that while they may be safer from contamination and disease, they also will not obtain the nutritional levels and natural substances once found in the vegetable. It is scary to imagine that eating lettuce and eating man-made processed foods could have the same nutritional levels since man has taken away the vitamins found in that plant. Such an abrupt change to the American diet could truly be harmful to consumers if irradiation does not have 100% probability of success. It is no wonder that the United States is full of health problems- nothing is left to the natural environment anymore. It must be processed and improved to a new liking which is based only on profitability. While pharmaceutical companies may benefit from a new slew of health problems, the health of the consumer (especially the uneducated consumer) is in jeopardy. All consumers are in jeopardy if irradiated products are not labeled
as they will have NO control over what they are eating. How can the United States
continue to grow stronger if it's population is only growing weaker? Our government should be focusing on improving the health of the overall population (by promoting natural, healthy nutrient-filled food) instead of allowing widespread irradiation which may only help a few hundred people per year.
I hope that this is taken into consideration, and irradiation labels are placed on
foods as they should be.
*** Please do not implement the irradiation of food in our country. The irradiation process has been proven harmful to people and the environment. There are other non-destructive helpful solutions out there, please research and hold farms accountable to organic standards. Thank you for your time.
***I wish to state my objection and worries regarding use of irradiation in the attempt to make fresh foods more safe for human consumption. It may be true that this method may destroy certain harmful bacteria but in the process it also destroys many micro nutrients which are essential to health - particularly of the immune system.
The immune system is the only internal barrier we have against disease and if it is maladjusted due to lack of proper nutrients sickness and illness ensue. I strongly state my objection to what has begun to destroy the healthfulness of our food chain. Please rethink your decision and give us all a chance at health.
***Irradiation of lettuce and spinich will not improve nutritional benefits, but could actually decrease the nutritional benefits of the greens themselves.
The problem is brought about by treating food as a commodity rather than a
source of human nutrition. Irradiation of lettuce and greens to allow salad greens to be shipped 1500 miles tends to further reduce the vitamins and life force found in greens, which are essential for human nutrition.
Recommending consumption of locally grown spinach and lettuce from farmers'
markets is a better position for the FDA to support. Locally grown lettuce and
spinach can be grown even in Alaska at Denali Lodge (in a green house) in
Denali National Park.
Anchorage Alaska has a farmers market source of summer local greens.
Ann Arbor Michigan's farmers market offers local greens in the winter.
With the growing demand for local produce more villages and cities
are providing public markets sites to reduce the need to import food.
It is time for the FDA to encourage consumers to shop locally rather than
rely on irradiation of food from distant unknown sources.
from unknown sources
***Like apples, a few rotten ones can ruin the the batch.
Fortunately there are those within every corrupt organization who mean only good
and often keep the barrel from going all bad.
It is my hope that there are those in the FDA who will see how insane this
radiation proposal is and will bring sanity back to an agency that was originally
intended to keep food safe for all citizens.
God please let them prevail!
 . .I met with the Commissioner of the FDA in his office and said, "How come you guys are making so many strange decisions?" |
***I am strongly against using radiation to treat food for human consumption. It is far more important to regulate and insure better practices in farming and agriculture to get rid of food-borne pathogens.
***The use of irradiation on our foods is a frightening concept. We do not have complete data on the long term effects our population may suffer from this
practice. I strongly urge you to focus on cleaning up the feed lots, factory
farms, and poor hygiene/health/safety practices of our domestic (and foreign
partners) from whom we purchase human grade food. If you MUST irradiate food
then you must absolutely label it so that consumers can make informed choices,
otherwise you are endangering many many people. Thank you
***As a health professional, I am concerned about the health effects of food irradiation, which is probably not fully known-there may be carcinogenic or toxic byproducts created by the irradiation process. I think we are taking a shortcut here rather than doing the right thing which is to address the root cause of the problem--cleaning up the areas where our food is produced so that they do not become contaminated in the first place. Why can't we do the right thing here, even if it is a bit more
difficult and costly rather than once again taking a convenient shortcut that may negatively impact the public health. I for one do not want to eat irradiated anything. Thank you. Barbara Krull MD
***Please stop the irradiation of spinach/lettuce spraying. This will only deplete any nutrients in our food. Why is the government trying so hard to make Americas food deplete of allll nutrients. This is happening with America's almonds also by pasteurizing them.
Please leave our food in its natural state as much as you can.
*** I find it more and more deplorable on a daily basis the fact that you continue to "sell out" the American Public. From unlabeled, untested gmo foods to toxic vaccines and now irradiating more and more of the food you continue to allow to be poisoned and foisted upon us..........you have no integrity. You have no souls. You have no right to make policy and decisions affecting all of us without the consumer actually having the right to learn what you are doing and have a say in what you condemn us to eat. Perhaps you've forgotten you also condemn your children and grandchildren as well.
***I am writing to post my objections to the irradiation of spinach and lettuce. I will only buy produce that has not been irradiated. There is no question that it reduces the nutritive qualities of fresh produce.
*** I find the irradiation of produce to be an unacceptable method of fostering a
safer food supply. Considering most Americans are nutrient deficient already,
consuming irradiated foods, which have lower nutrient density, will create
greater malnourishment. In addition to this, irradiated food poses some health
risks including greater free radicals in irradiated foods and potential health
problems which have been found in laboratory testing, including premature death,
cancer, stillbirths, and genetic mutation.
Just as overuse of antibiotics in ranch practices and medicine has led to
resistant forms of bacteria, radiation of food poses a risk of creating stronger
strains of E. coli and salmonella. Instead of contaminating our food supply with
radiation, I strongly urge the FDA to advocate and approve of safer, more
reliable and sustainable practices to ensure food safety such as tighter
regulations of farming practices and shipment of produce, ozone and other gas
treatments of produce (such as chlorine dioxide).
I appreciate your time and consideration on this topic. Most Sincerely,
Aimee Gallo VIBRANCE Nutrition and Fitness
***Consumer Comments on Food Irradiation
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