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*** I see the deterioration of health in our country on a daily basis in my pharmacy. We have become careless with environmental toxins. the increase in chronic illness and respiratory disease is epidemic. Your agency needs to be much more cautious about approving alterations to our food supply including gmo and irradiation. Remember what happened to pregnant women in the 50's with x-rays. Please consider health before profit. . . . . . . . . .
. . . .The FDA and USDA are so Evil, they are like something out of the Bible! .
*** As a consumer, I'm furious about this government-sponsored method of population reduction through the food supply. People are getting wise to the corrupt FDA and other government agencies, and not believing anything they say or promote. Stop all irradiation at once, and GM foods as well! Those who do these things are all Frankensteins who know no loyalty, morality, or decency.
*** I request the FDA rescind the order allowing lettuce and spinach to be irradiated. This process creates other harmful byproducts as it destroys the harmful bacteria. It would be more prudent for the FDA to focus on farming practices that contribute to this contamination. Factory farming practices have lead to increasing problems in the safety of our food. Irradiating food only covers up the disease prone methods of farming, exposing unknowing consumers to dangerous
byproducts of irradiation.
***Please deal with the reason for the pathogens instead of covering up the problem by using another method (irradiation) which causes more problems. This is asking for more of the same.
***Please stop allowing wealthy lobbying heavy big business to poison us. I would like to have faith in the FDA again and the safety of the food and other products that are consumed by consumers. I promise to stop calling you the Food and Drug Assassins.
***Although we don't see much in main stream media--the fact that we are being poisoned by our food industry practices is becoming more and more apparent. I am against irradiating food. We need to clean up factory farming practices that are the main reason for pathogens in produce. I am not a radical food activist--I am a citizen who is becoming more aware of how our government agencies do not have the people's best interests at heart. This is especially true in the last 8 years--I know you are under pressure to do whatever big corporations want you to do to make things easier and more profitable for them.I will not buy irradiated food. If this goes through I will not buy lettuce or spinach that is not local and organic.
*** It's time to address the problems with factory-farmed food. Deciding to
irradiate spinach and lettuce would be grossly irresponsible and unethical.
Don't do it!
***As a concerned consumer and voter I urge the serious reconsideration of this and any law permitting the use of irradiation to food products. I and many other consumers are not convinced that irradiation is safe, and we will not purchase any product that has been irradiated. I do believe, however, there are other safe ways to deal with pathogen contamination in the food supply, such as the sanitation of water and processing plants. Thank you for taking my comments. Sincerely,
Anneliese Mordhorst
***How can intelligent people be bought off to compound an already unacceptable food pollution problem?????????
Rather than dealing with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system, you, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , are advocating the allowance of irradiation to expand to lettuce and spinach. Food irradiation is the controversial practice of bombarding food with high levels of x-rays (ionizing radiation) in order to destroy disease causing pathogens. Unfortunately, in the process of irradiation, other hazards arise, like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals.
Why do you insist on supporting Corporate Argi-business who are NOT interested
in growing healthy foods, interested ONLY in profits????? This places the FDA in the ignorant category, or worse, since you know but choose to ignore the truth! The only science you will acknowledge is that which falls into the corporate propaganda for the sole purpose of raking in as much profit as possible.
Stop being bought off. Healthy food CAN be grown locally to support local
populations and economies. SUPPORT THAT!!!!!!!!
***As a consumer and retailer of food, I am concerned with your intention to irradiate
any live food. The FDA's responsibility is to deal with the problems inherent in the disease- ridden factory-farmed food system first and not "kill" the food after the fact. Food irradiation is a controversial and concerning practice that should not be used as a first line of defense. Irradiation has other hazards like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals. Please reconsider this announcement.
Attacked the Earth
Like A Plague
of Locust
***Europeans find US food scary. I'm beginning to, also. Please raise standards so they are up to those elsewhere.
***
Rather than dealing with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden
factory-farmed food system, YOU, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have
announced that in mid-September YOU will allow the irradiation of lettuce and
spinach. Food irradiation is a hazard. It creates:
*toxic free radicals
*vitamin and nutrient loss
*and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals, among other things.
Irradiating food makes food more dangerous, not safer.
***Why add more radiation factors into our food system when cleaning up the feed lots would do far more for our health, our environment and our food chain.
***Irradation of foods is not proven safe. What evidence exists says that it is dangerous and harmful to human health (and the environment in general). I vigorously oppose this proposal by the FDA.
***please stop the irradiation of our food. it has been proven...it's not healthy for us. thank you.
***stop with the irradiation of food, and start with cleaning up the industrial food companies.
***I want the FDA to clean-up industrial feedlots instead of irradiating our food. The FDA should be taking care of the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system and not allowing irradiation of foods sold to the public.
***deal with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system, rather than irradiate food.
***Do not ionize my food with radiation! Instead force these agribusiness companies to clean up their methods of production. Do your job and protect consumers from bad food and bad ideas like harmful radiation on food!
Thank You
*** I strictly oppose the use of irradiation on lettuce and spinach. This is like putting a dirty band-aid on a cut; it does not heal the underlying problem. I am appalled at approach of the FDA. Instead of being confident in your oversight, I now am highly skeptical of all you do. Shame. The agency has become a national disgrace.
*** As a publisher of two regional editions of a magazine for physicians and health
care leaders in the states of Virginia and North Carolina, I am extremely
concerned about the health issues concerning non-labeled irradiated foods in the United States food system, particularly when those foods are being consumed
unknowingly by those who may be at particular risk, such as children in
educational institutions and the elderly in nursing homes and similar
institutions. The long term effects of irradiation have not been sufficiently
scientifically proven. Furthermore, irradiation addresses the symptoms rather
than the causes. This reflects very poor public policy, and I respectfully
request that the U.S. government block any new irradiation programs until all
the facts are in, and all other alternatives have been thoroughly reviewed.
Walter Benda Publisher, M.D. News Magazine P.O. Box 583 Max Meadows, VA 24360
wbenda@mdnews.com
TEL: 276-637-0117
***Dear FDA, due to the negative affects of radiating food I strongly oppose it. Thank you, Lisa Zimmer
***Every time the government further allows our food to be 'processed' in any way -we lose nutrition. Studies have shown many of our fruits and vegetables are already low in nutrients, due to the fact that almost that has to be shipped is fine ripened, and nutrients don't come into the foodstuff until they ripen on the vine!
We then lose more nutrition when fruits and veggies are shipped and stored and
gased to turn 'ripe looking'. We do NOT need any other BAD intervention.
STOP needless ionizing radiation.
*** Irradiation is an expensive and detrimental way to try to keep pathogens from food. The many who grow and purchase organic food don't need it. What if industrial farmers were encouraged by entities such as yours to adopt the kinds of practices that enhance, rather than toxify food?
*** Please stop the runoff from feed lots. Clean up our water. Leave the life in our produce.
*** Hello, Irradiating our food supply is not the answer. We need to move towards cleaning up the food supply, by supporting local and organic agriculture. Supporting smaller farms, which have more at stake than huge corporate farms, makes more sense. Sincerely, Laurie Abela
***I am very disappointed that you will allow the irradiation of lettuce & spinach. Please attend to the
real problems in the food industry instead of making our food less safe,
nutritious & possibly dangerous. As a cancer survivor, it is especially disturbing news. Giving the illusion that you are doing something good for consumers may make you feel better about your job, but look at the big picture and work at the farm/factory levels to make a difference that will truly help the public that you are there to serve. Frances Ertel
*** As a restaurant, we are deeply distressed by the current discussions about irradiating produce.
***Please give consumers a choice. I do not want my food nuked and if you think that there are people who don't care, you may be right. However, I along with many others do care. So, if you are allowing industries to just nuke away germs rather than clean up their act, then please, have this written on the FRONT of packages. By doing this, consumers who care about what goes into their bodies can choose, rather than the "government" or some lazy food processing company. The Preamble to the Constitution states that I have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Allowing companies to nuke food without posting this information in big print on the front of packages is denying me All of these rights. Thank you
*** It is imperative that we do not allow irradiation of our food! Lettuce and spinach are the first in line. We don't know what the effects of this practice will do to us. We do know that it will reduce the amount of valuable nutrients that our bodies need. Why not clean up the plants where these foods are processed instead? Please don't allow the FDA to accept this process!
Sincerely, Mary Page
***Please- stop the insanity of radiating food. Are you trying the kill the Earth? We need healthy food for our future generations to survive.
***I totally disagree in the use of irradiation on food products especially vegetables. Why is it that companies are allowed to use poisons and the like to rid products of disease causing pathogens. Aren't there enough poisons on our earth already. Why not have the companies clean up the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system. Surely the way the products are grown and handled is the cause of these pathogens.
***please reverse the approval of irradiating any and all foods. why are we not using ozone treatment which is safe. we could be cleaning up the cattle feed lots instead. we do not want to destroy or change the naturally ac curing enzymes and nutrient content in these foods. this will force us to grow or own or stop eating these foods all together.
thank you for you time cheryl mendiola
***This is an irresponsible decision. The focus should be on cleaning up feedlots and implementing farming practices that work in harmony with nature and preserve the nutrients in food. People should always have a choice regarding what they eat whether they buy it themselves or it's served to them. Irradiating produce causes harmful free radicals, cancerous byproducts, and kills off the already depleted nutrients in food.
***I am completely against the irradiation food. I am sick of this agency using wasting tax money on your looser policies that do more harm than good. You folks are nothing more than corporate whores. Big biz tells you what it wants and you do it. We need to give your agency a big enema and get rid of all your policies and employees that are corporate clones and corp. exports. You are a complete disservice to overall and long term public and planetary well being.
*** Just as it is more productive to treat and cure the cause of an illness rather than simply to palliate symptoms, so would it be more effective to treat the causes of the recent food-borne pathogen outbreaks in spinach and iceberg lettuce by addressing the agricultural factors that caused the problem, rather than simply to treat (kill) these foods with poisonous ionizing radiation.
Irradiating food disrupts its life force energy and cell structure, impairs
nutritional value, produces free radicals and quite possibly will have negative
health effects down the line for the people who eat this food. Furthermore,
natural, fresh food is meant to be eaten fresh for a reason; extending the
"shelf life" of raw living foods should not be a goal!
In the spirit of your stated aim to increase food safety - not to decrease
health and vitality - please reverse your recent decision to irradiate more
human foods, and consider stopping food irradiation altogether.
Yours truly, Diana Allen, MS, CNS Clinical Nutritionist
***Stop trying to kill us. Irradiating food is a very bad idea. You're idiots if you think otherwise. The thing is, I know you're not idiots, your doing it intentionally to kill people.
***I am writing to oppose the irradiation of spinach and lettuce. I encourage instead the cleanup of industrial feedlots and other ways to protect ourselves. The risks of irradiation are too severe to allow this to happen. Free radicals are formed, vitamins and nutrients are decreased, and carcinogens are created. We need to find a better way. Thank you,
Claire Stone
*** Please do not allow the irradiation of lettuce, spinach or any other food products. I am concerned about the process causing the formation of free radicals, which among other results, can cause the desruction of antioxidants. I am concerned about the process causing the formation of carcinogens and bacterial mutation. There are safer technologies such as ultra high pressure technology.
Thank you very much Penny Gang RPh
***Please do not irradiate our spinach and lettuce or any other food. The real root of the problem lies in factory farmed animals. Please focus on feed lots not our produce. Thank You Jaime Jones
*** FDA : clean-up industrial feed lots instead of irradiating our food. Costly Irradiating destroys the quality of our food. It is more important that animal feed lots and drainage issues be confronted and delt with by the FDA. Stand up to big business and do this. The consequences will be far more serious to the food chain and consequent health of our population if positive steps are not taken right now.We trust you will take this into serious consideration. The American people expect and deserve immediate attention to this important issue.
***The process of radiating vegetables tainted by disease-ridden waste from factory farms (breeding centers for animal diseases) is dangerous and an incredibly stupid idea given the already poor nutritional value of much of American food. What would be a much better idea would be to regulate slaughterhouses and feedlots such that the conditions that produce dangerous forms of E. coli, for example, are
eliminated. The FDA could, for example, provide incentives for farms that allow
animals to go out to pasture, eat organic grasses (as they were meant to), and
avoid, whenever possible, the widespread use of antiobiotics. If the FDA actually means to protect the American public's health, this would be the path the organization would take. Good luck with Monsanto's and Cargill's and the meat producers' lobbyists!
***PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT LET OUR FOOD BE IRRADIATED JUST BECAUSE THE COMPANYS ARE NOT WILLING TO KEEP THERE FARMS CLEAN. I AM FULLY CAPABLE OF WASHING AND CLEANING MY FOOD IN
PREPARATION AND DO NOT WANT TO HAVE IRRADIATED FOOD!!!!!
PLEASE GO WITH THE PEOPLE AND NOT WITH THE COMPANYS WHO
ABUSE THEIR MONEY AND POWER TO OVERULE WHAT IS RIGHT, IN THIS
CASE NOT IRRADIATING FOOD AND BEING RESPONSIBLE COMPANIES
AND KEEPING THEIR FARMS CLEAN!!! PLEASE NO IRRADIATION!!!
SINCERELY, MICHELLE RIVERA
***Please do not allow the use of ionizing radiation on spinach and lettuce. We are already exposing our youth to too many chemicals and forms of radiation. It may increase the shelf life of the food products, but in the end I believe it will harm the lives of those exposed.
***I have been a science educator in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences for over 20 years. I would like to submit my opinion concerning the irradiation of foodstuffs in the U.S.
I strongly oppose any type of food irradiation and would vote against any attempts to institute it in the United States.
Irradiated food is changed greatly in its composition - resulting in a loss of
vitamins, some minerals, and many other compounds necessary for proper nutrition. In addition, many other types of compounds are created within the food that could result in our foods becoming poisonous and/or carcinogenic.
Once again, count me against any irradiation of foods in our country.
Samuel L. Shultz
***I PROTEST STRONGLY THE FDA'S DECISION TO USE RADIATION ON ANY RAW VEGETABLE FOR HUMAN OR THAT MATTER ANIMAL CONSUMPTION. I AM ESPECIALLY APPALlED THAT NO LABELING IS REQUIRED FOR RESTAURANTS, NURSING HOMES, ETC. IT SEEMS ONLY OUR ASSOCIATION HAS PROVEN THAT WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH OUR FOOD, WHERE IS COMES FROM AND WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO KNOW OF GMO FOODS. WE ARE A PEOPLE THAT ARE ENTITLED TO CHOOSE WHAT WE WANT TO EAT-NOT BE FORCED TO DO AS THE FOOD MONGREL AND MONSANTO SEE FIT TO DO SOLEY FOR THEIR PROFITS- AND YOU...THE FDA HAVE NO MORE CONCERN OR CONCIOUS CONCERNING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAN THOSE THAT PREY ON THE PUBLIC. I WILL NOT BUY ANY RADIATED FOOD...EVER NOR WILL I STOP VOICING MY OPINION ABOUT THE FDA'S LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY TO AMERICANS...UNTIL SOMETHING, SOMEWHERE, AND SOMEONE THAT TRULY CARES TO DO THEIR JOBS, ...DOES IT.
***The negative effects of irradiated food upon a consumer's health are scientifically proven in many studies. YOU KNOW THIS. How much longer will you continue to sell your soul for hand-outs and bribes? Life is worth much more than Gold. The People of America deserve better. I am willing to forgive you. Please, listen to your conscience.
*** As a health pracitioner it has become obvious to me in my 20+ year career that the manipulation of food in any way has disastrous for the health of the United States.
The human immune system has many defenses against bacteria and viruses. Many of
these defenses are carried out properly as a result of proper biochemistry.
Nutrition RUNS our biochemistry.
To "mess" with nature's foods is enormously short-sighted.
Marcia Smith ND, PhD
*** Your decision to irradiate lettuce and spinach is a very bad idea. In the process of irradiation health hazards arise, like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic compounds. It also makes food off-flavored. Then there is also the source of irradiation -- is it contained, where is it stored, are workers protected, and what will be done with the waste? Moreover, there is no requirement for restaurants, schools and so forth to let the consumer know that it is irradiated. For us at the society, we personally will not go to restaurants and get any salad or a side of spinach, and we will make it a point to see that schools not use it. It is so counter productive to be concerned about the few people who were sicked by spinach and lettuce, and put many more people at risk for all sorts of diseases that come from free radicals, carcinogenic compounds, and insufficient nutrition.
***
We are concerned that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the irradiation of spinach and lettuce. Food irradiation is a process that leaves food more dangerous than was before the irradiation.
Laboratory testing has shown that food irradiation can lead to serious health problems such as premature death, fatal internal bleeding, cancer, stillbirths and other reproductive problems, mutations and other genetic damage, organ malfunctions, stunted growth and vitamin deficiencies.
Food irradiation also creates free radicals, which can set off chain reactions in the body that destroy antioxidants, tear apart cell membranes, and make the body more susceptible to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, liver damage, muscular breakdown and other serious problems.
It creates mutant forms of dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. It causes nutrient loss in foods, such as the destruction of vitamins and essential fatty acids. Irradiation also causes the formation of carcinogens such as benzene and toluene. While the FDA currently requires the labeling of irradiated food in grocery stores, there are no regulations on the labeling of irradiated food in restaurants. This is a concern because consumers may consume irradiated food without prior knowledge or consent.
There are alternatives to food irradiation which include prevention by keeping facilities clean and ridding of infested fruits and vegetables, heat treatment, cold treatments, using plant oils, controlling the atmosphere of shipping containers, and replacing stainless steel with brass and copper.
***I believe that FDA's approval of irradiation in our food is not only dangerous, it is patently absurd. Instead of growing and processing food in a manner that treats it as food, FDA is trying to clean up the act of a few bad practices and companies at the expense of people's lives. As a grower and processor of walnuts, I know that it is only through my neglect that I create problems. I know that if I do this, it will cost me. Now you are saying that we and others can be neglectful without consequences. How absurd. This decision is like so many coming out of FDA. I think it may be time to totally revamp FDA so that it is doing what it was called to do; protect people from harmful and dangerous practices. The FDA does not work
for business. The FDA is supposed to work for the people.
*** Do not use ionizing radiation for food -- the benefits have not been fully tested and proven and the dangers are apparently not important enough to be considered. Have you considered the dangers?
***I am writing to protest the irradiation of any foodstuffs. This is a back door solution that provides consumers with a less than nutritious and possibly harmful food supply, while allowing food producers carte blanche on their production processes.
It is not the province of the FDA to clean up after, or facilitate unsafe and
unsanitary food production methods. The FDA is mandated by law to provide
American consumers with a safe and nutritious pathway to foodstuffs, not to
endlessly enable big agribusiness in their self serving procedures.
This just further indicates the need for wide sweeping reforms within the FDA.
For too long the FDA has functioned as a lackey for big ag and big pharma, while putting Americans at risk. This symbiosis between the industries and the FDA is unhealthy for America.
*** I am an Adjunct Prof. at Tufts Medical School & Mass College of Pharmacy.
Irradiating spinach and lettuce is not a solution to e. coli found on foods. The workers need to be provided with toilets and sanitary hand washing as a normal part of their work day in the field.
As a teacher this is basic knowledge, as a mother this is common sense.
Margaret Flint
***We are totally against your forced irradication of our foods. Clean up the growers and handlers industry and we will be able to live with wonderful food instead of 'dead' food which costs our medical and hospital community way too mush money!
***As a nursing professional who has worked many years in the oncology field this comes as no surprise. What a shame our government lends it's support to those whose intentions lack integrity and forethought for the welfare of humankind. Yet
will they be the ones who willingly eat these irradiated "foods"? Will they advise their own loved ones truthfully or lie to them as well? This is no longer food-as Webster's New World Dictionary denotes, and I quote" Food: anything that nourishes".Radiation does not nourish-it kills, the good with the bad.
*** Please, someone rescue us from the FDA, they have no clue as to what they are doing.
***It's time to do the job you're being paid for, and that is making sure that food and drugs are safe and have known side effects. Irradiated Lettuce and Spinach is just putting a bandage on the real problem. We need to clean up how food is handled and packed as well as shipped. At least tell us on labels the foods that are irradiated, so we have a choice.
***Please do not allow irradiation of lettuce and spinach. There has already been far too much harm done to our food sources without killing ALL the vitamins and nutrients in the food on top of it! It is far more important to me that I have my nutrients intact in my food than that I avoid a few potentially harmful pathogens (which, in the first place, needn't even bother me if I am healthy from good food).Sincerely, Ruth Lough Missouri
***Has the FDA completely lost their minds? Our food supply is so depleted of vitamins and nutrients because of over farming the same crop in the same plot of land and all the added chemicals and hormones they have permitted our food supply to be tainted with and no irradiation of our food supply. Who do they work for? Oh excuse me..PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES that make the poisons we are feed through our food supply. Well I for one am tired of being treated like a lab rat. I will now only buy locally and what's in season and from organic farmers.
I don't trust the FDA one single bit. They do not have the best interest of the
people of this country at heart. To put it simply - it's all about GREED!
***Please do NOT use radiation on my food. If you choose to put this on the market, I will not buy it. It's bad enough you've let GMO foods into the system. As a gardener, and a seed saver I'm going to have to worry about that too. Would you want you're children eating this garbage?
***Would you feed the food to your family? It must be comforting to know that your children and grandchildren are eating this food in school. Is this your solution to the education crisis? Feed kids radiation so their brains become mutant?
***I am a Holistic health practitioner who has been selecting the healthiest foods
available for myself, my friends, family and associates. I am firmly against
your approval of irradiating lettuce and spinach, as a way to rid them of
possible pathogens. The negative consequences of irradiation have not been
fully explored, and you are exposing the public to negative fallout, the scope
of which could be much worse than those pathogens!
I have grown lettuce and spinach organically, and with the proper care and
attention, it is not difficult to grow safe, healthy foods. To skimp on the
intelligent use of traditional methods to grow healthy foods, and to replace
that with a 'one size fits all' irradiation technique, is nonsensical and dangerous.
Please change this policy. Irradiation of healthy produce will damage it's
ability to nourish and sustain human life. Please re-consider your options, and
listen to what's best for the public good.
Thank you, Sheela Alex
***Please reconsider your approval of Radiating our food. I want my food to be natural and as it was intended. Irradiating food makes food more dangerous, not safer.
Please require all food sold or served anywhere including schools, hospitals
etc. to be labeled so that we can make informed decisions.
thanks Kumella
*** How is it we made it to over 6 billion people on this planet, most of whom live in much less sanitary living conditions than Americans, without the "benefit" of irradiation of food???
It is outrageous and short-sighted to consider making a sweeping action of
irradiating our fresh foods. Consumers, who are at times dependent on obtaining
food from restaurants where they have no way of knowing if the food has been
irradiated, will be at the mercy of little choice about not eating irradiated food. Because irradiation alters the chemical composition of food and removes its vital life force, eating this food will in the long run prove to be more of a health hazard then the bacteria it is intended to destroy. In our attempts to be invulnerable we will succeed only in making ourselves more vulnerable to poor nutrition and compromise our health and well being in the process. Please DO NOT approve the irradiation of our food supplies.
***I'm deeply concerned about the FDA's consideration of the use of Ionizing Radiation on our food.
***As always in this administration the bureaucrats wants to cover the smell of money talking. While the cost of cleaning up the poor agricultural practices might cost more than radiation, as always, the bodies of our citizens will be bombarded with more chemical residue, and, less healthy food leading to more health costs down the road. As a consumer I WILL NEVER buy this food and I intend to talk it up with all my friends and neighbors. Furthermore I shall contact my supermarkets
and let them know how I feel. Mariah Healy
***Beyond being a risky venture in itself, irradiation of foods such as lettuce and spinach does nothing to address the inherent problem with the food industry. More effort should be spent on cleaning up and policing the food processing plants than in putting a "band-aid" on the issue, one that costs money and may have long-term effects that we cannot even imagine right now. Irradiating food is a very controversial issue - it should not be used as a first resort to fixing the problems of disease in our food chain. Thank you for your time.
***As a farmer and value-added products producer I am vehemently opposed to irradiating food products. If irradiation or GMOs are going to be allowed into our food system, labeling is essential. I urge you to mandate the labeling of all irradiated food products
*** Please stop the irradiation of spinach and lettuce! Thank you. Nancy Broach, RN
***Being a medical doctor, I am aware of the damage that can be caused by the irradiation to food, including gene mutation, toxic chemical changes in the chemicals used as pesticides/fertilizers present on the food ,reduction of antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients, and so on.
In our present world ridden with Cancer epidemic, we do NOT need to add another
cause for cancer to our diet!
Int J Health Serv. 2001;31(1):187-92. Links
Preventing pathogenic food poisoning: sanitation, not irradiation.
Epstein SS, Hauter W.
Cancer Prevention Coalition, University of Illinois School of Public Health, 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Bacterial food poisoning can be readily prevented by long overdue basic sanitary measures rather than by ultrahazardous irradiation technologies.
PMID: 11271643 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 2.http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/press/releases/will-abc-20-20-cover-food-
irradiation-fairly-article02232007
3.http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/food/irradiation.htm
4. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/food_irrad.cfm
***I am extremely upset to learn that the FDA has ok'd irradiation of lettuce and spinach, especially now that we are certain that irradiating food makes food more dangerous, not safer. Moreover, there are many natural substances that are known to inhibit growth of bacteria on food. Why isn't the FDA funding the research of these substances rather than promoting a potentially deadly alternative?
Some major concerns with food irradiation include:
-The formation of free radicals, which can set off chain reactions in the body that destroy antioxidants, tear apart cell membranes, and make the body more susceptible to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, liver damage, muscular breakdown and other serious problems.
-Serious health problems in laboratory testing, including, including premature death, fatal internal bleeding, cancer, stillbirths and other reproductive problems, mutations and other genetic damage, organ malfunctions, stunted growth and vitamin deficiencies.
-The creating mutant forms of dangerous bacteria, like E. coli and Salmonella
-Nutrient loss in foods, including the destruction of vitamins and essential fatty acids.
-The formation of carcinogenic chemicals, like benzene and toluene.
***I see the deterioration of health in our country on a daily basis in my pharmacy. We have become careless with environmental toxins. the increase in chronic illness and respiratory disease is epidemic. Your agency needs to be much more cautious about approving alterations to our food supply including gmo and irradiation. Remember what happened to pregnant women in the 50's with xrays. Please consider health before profit.
*** As a consumer, I'm furious about this government-sponsored method of population reduction through the food supply. People are getting wise to the corrupt FDA and other government agencies, and not believing anything they say or promote. Stop all irradiation at once, and GM foods as well! Those who do these things are all Frankensteins who know no loyalty, morality, or decency.
***I request the FDA rescind the order allowing lettuce and spinach to be irradiated. This process creates other harmful byproducts as it destroys the harmful bacteria. It would be more prudent for the FDA to focus on farming practices that contribute to this contamination. Factory farming practices have lead to increasing problems in the safety of our food. Irradiating food only covers up the disease prone methods of farming, exposing unknowing consumers to dangerous byproducts of irradiation.
***
Please deal with the reason for the pathogens instead of covering up the problem by using another method (irradiation) which causes more problems. This is asking for more of the same.
***Please stop allowing wealthy lobbying heavy big business to poison us. I would like to have faith in the FDA again and the safety of the food and other products that are consumed by consumers. I promise to stop calling you the Food and Drug Assassins.
***Although we don't see much in main stream media--the fact that we are being
poisoned by our food industry practices is becoming more and more apparent. I
am against irradiating food. We need to clean up factory farming practices that are the main reason for pathogens in produce. I am not a radical food activist--I am a citizen who is becoming more aware of how our government agencies do not have the people's best interests at heart. This is especially true in the last 8 years--I know you are under pressure to do whatever big corporations want you to do to make things easier and more profitable for them. I will not buy irradiated food. If this goes through I will not buy lettuce or spinach that is not local and organic.
*** It's time to address the problems with factory-farmed food. Deciding to
irradiate spinach and lettuce would be grossly irresponsible and unethical.
Don't do it!
*** As a concerned consumer and voter I urge the serious reconsideration of this and any law permitting the use of irradiation to food products. I and many other consumers are not convinced that irradiation is safe, and we will not purchase any product that has been irradiated. I do believe, however, there are other safe ways to deal with pathogen contamination in the food supply, such as the sanitation of water and processing plants.
Thank you for taking my comments. Sincerely, Anneliese Mordhorst
***How can intelligent people be bought off to compound an already unacceptable
food pollution problem?????????
Rather than dealing with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system, you, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , are advocating the allowance of irradiation to expand to lettuce and spinach. Food irradiation is the controversial practice of bombarding food with high levels of x-rays (ionizing radiation) in order to destroy disease causing pathogens. Unfortunately, in the process of irradiation, other hazards arise, like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals.
Why do you insist on supporting Corporate Argi-business who are NOT interested
in growing healthy foods, interested ONLY in profits????? This places the FDA in the ignorant category, or worse, since you know but choose to ignore the truth! The only science you will acknowledge is that which falls into the corporate propaganda for the sole purpose of raking in as much profit as possible.
Stop being bought off. Healthy food CAN be grown locally to support local
populations and economies. SUPPORT THAT!!!!!!!!Br>***As a consumer and retailer of food, I am concerned with your intention to irradiate any live food. The FDA's responsibility is to deal with the problems inherent in the disease- ridden factory-farmed food system first and not "kill" the food after the fact. Food irradiation is a controversial and concerning practice that should not be used as a first line of defense. Irradiation has other hazards like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals.
Please reconsider this announcement.
***Europeans find US food scary. I'm beginning to, also. Please raise standards so they are up to those elsewhere.
***Rather than dealing with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden
factory-farmed food system, YOU, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have
announced that in mid-September YOU will allow the irradiation of lettuce and
spinach. Food irradiation is a hazard. It creates:
*toxic free radicals
*vitamin and nutrient loss
*and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals, among other things.
Irradiating food makes food more dangerous, not safer.
*** Irradation of foods is not proven safe. What evidence exists says that it is dangerous and harmful to human health (and the environment in general). I vigorously oppose this proposal by the FDA.
***please stop the irradiation of our food. it has been proven...it's not healthy for us. thank you.
***stop with the irradiation of food, and start with cleaning up the industrial food companies.
***I want the FDA to clean-up industrial feedlots instead of irradiating our food. The FDA should be taking care of the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system and not allowing irradiation of foods sold to the public.
*** deal with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system, rather than irradiate food.
***Do not ionize my food with radiation! Instead force these agribusiness companies to clean up their methods of production. Do your job and protect consumers from bad food and bad ideas like harmful radiation on food! Thank You
***I strictly oppose the use of irradiation on lettuce and spinach. This is like putting a dirty band-aid on a cut; it does not heal the underlying problem. I am appalled at approach of the FDA. Instead of being confident in your oversight, I now am highly skeptical of all you do. Shame. The agency has become a national disgrace.
*** Dear FDA, due to the negative affects of radiating food I strongly oppose it. Thank you, Lisa Zimmer
*** Every time the government further allows our food to be 'processed' in any way -we lose nutrition.
Studies have shown many of our fruits and vegetables are already low in nutrients, due to the fact that almost that has to be shipped is fine ripened, and nutrients don't come into the foodstuff until they ripen on the vine!
We then lose more nutrition when fruits and veggies are shipped and stored and
gased to turn 'ripe looking'.
***We do NOT need any other BAD intervention.STOP needless ionizing radiation.
*** Irradiation is an expensive and detrimental way to try to keep pathogens from
food. The many who grow and purchase organic food don't need it. What if
industrial farmers were encouraged by entities such as yours to adopt the
kinds of practices that enhance, rather than toxify food?
*** Please stop the runoff from feed lots. Clean up our water. Leave the life in our produce.
*** Hello, Irradiating our food supply is not the answer. We need to move towards cleaning up the food supply, by supporting local and organic agriculture. Supporting smaller farms, which have more at stake than huge corporate farms, makes more sense. Sincerely, Laurie Abela
*** I am very disappointed that you will allow the irradiation of lettuce & spinach. Please attend to the real problems in the food industry instead of making our food less safe, nutritious & possibly dangerous. As a cancer survivor, it is especially disturbing news. Giving the illusion that you are doing something good for consumers may make you feel better about your job, but look at the big
picture and work at the farm/factory levels to make a difference that will truly help the public that you are there to serve. Frances Ertel
*** As a restaurant, we are deeply distressed by the current discussions about
irradiating produce:
We have learned (source, the organic consumer's association):
"Irradiating food makes food more dangerous, not safer. Some major concerns withfood irradiation include:
-The formation of free radicals, which can set off chain reactions in the body
that destroy antioxidants, tear apart cell membranes, and make the body more
susceptible to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, liver damage, muscular breakdown and other serious problems.
-Serious health problems in laboratory testing, including, including premature
death, fatal internal bleeding, cancer, stillbirths and other reproductive
problems, mutations and other genetic damage, organ malfunctions, stunted
growth and vitamin deficiencies.
-The creating mutant forms of dangerous bacteria, like E. coli and Salmonella
-Nutrient loss in foods, including the destruction of vitamins and essential
fatty acids.
-The formation of carcinogenic chemicals, like benzene and toluene.
-While irradiated lettuce and spinach must be labeled in supermarkets, there are currently no labeling requirements for restaurants serving irradiated produce or other items. Patrons and clients may consume irradiated lettuce and spinach in the future without their knowledge, nor consent"
We will not purchase produce from any company that chooses to irradiate their
products. Period. Kathy and Danny Living Borrowed Earth Cafe
Downers Grove, IL
***Please give consumers a choice. I do not want my food nuked and if you think that there are people who don't care, you may be right. However, I along with many others do care. So, if you are alllowing industries to just nuke away germs rather than clean up their act, then please, have this written on the FRONT of packages. By doing this, consumers who care about what goes into their bodies can choose, rather than the "government" or some lazy food processing company. The Preamble to the Constitution states that I have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Allowing companies to nuke food without posting this information in big print on the front of packages is denying me All of these rights. Thank you
***It is imperative that we do not allow irradiation of our food! Lettuce and spinach are the first in line.
We don't know what the effects of this practice will do to us. We do know that it will reduce the amount of valuable nutrients that our bodies need. Why not clean up the plants where these foods are processed instead?
Please don't allow the FDA to accept this process!
Sincerely,
Mary Page
***Rather than dealing with the problems inherent in a disease-ridden factory-farmed food system, I understand that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow the irradiation of lettuce and spinach starting in mid-September. This is extremely irresponsible. The process of irradiation may kill disease but it also creates other hazards arise, like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals. I may be able to choose whether or not I want to buy irradiated food in the supermarket, but I have no control in restaurants, in schools, in hospitals and many other places. Please be
responsible, do your job and prohibit the dangerous practice of irradiating and
contaminating our food.
*** Please- stop the insanity of radiating food. Are you trying the kill the Earth? We need healthy food for our future generations to survive.
***Consumer Comments on Food Irradiation
bravenet.com
