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DEL.ICIO.USWould you buy irradiated spinach or lettuce?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spinach and iceberg lettuce can be irradiated to kill harmful bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday. Read the latest news story
What does that mean?
Irradiation is ionizing radiation, applied to food as gamma rays from radioisotopes, or electron beams or X-rays from machines. It penetrates into food to kill germs, and also kills insects on the surface of foods. Irradiation extends a product’s shelf life.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association of America asked the FDA to approve irradiation of leafy greens several years ago. Many consumer groups opposed it, instead pressing the FDA to impose more stringent farm-to-table safety standards.
The FDA approval only includes iceberg lettuce and spinach; other leafy greens, like romaine lettuce, may be added later. And the FDA continues to advise consumers to wash all leafy greens, including irradiated ones, before eating them.
Food that is irradiated must be labeled, a requirement that industry is trying to change. Industry petitions call for a more generic label like “pasteurized.” Irradiation can affect the flavor and texture of food, depending on the dose level; those promoting irradiating leafy greens say consumers won’t notice any changes at the levels used.
The approval comes at an interesting time. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to investigate a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak that’s been tied to tomatoes and serrano peppers, one that’s still making Americans ill, albeit at a much slower rate than at its peak. Both agencies have been criticized for their handling of the investigation, with much of that criticism falling on the FDA.
At the same time, the produce industry is facing hundreds of million in losses from unsold tomatoes, jalapenos and serranos, the latest in a string of outbreak-related losses. In 2006, an e. coli 0157:H7 outbreak tied to spinach caused 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths, and the spinach industry took a big hit. Sales suffered months after the outbreak had ended, with some shoppers continuing to avoid the food.
Consumers are the wild card in this situation. Will Americans embrace irradiation of iceberg lettuce, which has little to offer but its crunch, if irradiation affects that texture? Will those who seek out spinach for its healthfulness buy it if it’s been irradiated? Will people who avoid fresh salads now because they’re at higher risk for foodborne illness be able to eat and enjoy them again because they’ve been treated to reduce bacteria?
In the past, shoppers have had a mixed reaction. Irradiated foods such as beef have been a tough sell, but tropical fruit from Hawaii and spices haven’t faced the same level of resistance.
You can read the arguments for irradiation here and against irradiation, here.
Would you buy irradiated fresh spinach or iceberg lettuce? Why or why not?
Permalink | Comments (56) | Post your comment | Categories: Food Safety
Comments
By TreeHugger
August 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
NO. I would not buy this crap they are trying to pass off as food. I’ve ate tomatoes (bought at Harry’s Farmers Market) all summer and I’m fine…no e coli here. The mainstream food producers and FDA are just a bunch of lazy whiners that want to make money and don’t care who they kill or make sick in the process. They blamed tomatoes because it was an easy excuse, when in fact it was mexican peppers, screwing over tomato growers in the US. Whatever they can do to make something easy and more cost efficient to them is what they do, they could really give a crap about consumers (unless we stop buying). Buy local and organic whenever you can and don’t buy this franken-spinach.
By dlrknox
August 22, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Yes, I would have no hesitation in eating irradiated food. The food does not become radioactive and the benefits of irradiation far outweigh the possible quality issues. This eliminates the possibility of contamination by bacteria or insects and makes the food safer to eat. I have a graduate degree in microbiology, so I can appreciate the process as a very effective way to make food more safe to eat.
By dlrknox
August 22, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Yes, I would have no hesitation in eating irradiated food. The food does not become radioactive and the benefits of irradiation far outweigh the possible quality issues. This eliminates the possibility of contamination by bacteria or insects and makes the food safer to eat. I have a graduate degree in microbiology, so I can appreciate the process as a very effective way to make food more safe to eat.
By TP
August 22, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Irradiation destroys almost all the vitamin/healthful content of the fresh greens (I don’t see that fact spelled out clearly in this article). It would basically make the food worthless calories. I would not buy it or eat it.
By healthyartist
August 22, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Radiation destroys phytochemicals in plants. Phytochemicals are cancer-protective, heart disease-protective, inflammation-protective. In the same way that microwaving broccoli destroys the majority of its cancer-fighting nutrients (which the FDA does not admit to) irradiating food (and not telling us when it is) will deprive us of the vital nutrients that Americans should have complete access to in the face of the horrible diet of processed junk food, fast food, meat and milk that has become the “sad” standard to which most of the population has come to accept and is also the reason why we are the most unhealthy and obese civilized population in the world today. Shame on the FDA for continuing to make us the victims of corrupt business practices.
By kat
August 22, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
I am concerned that the numerous phytonutrients in spinach will be damaged by radiation. I think irradiated foods should be labeled as such so that consumers can choose to avoid them if they wish.
By JAS
August 22, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
No, definately not! Only organic! The GMO foods, irradiation, pasturization………….all in the name of good health. Quite the opposite.
By Grant
August 22, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Of course. Irradiated food is just safer and there’s nothing wrong with it. By the way there’s nothing better about organic. It’s just a way to take advantage of people with money but no brains who are afraid of science and technology. This is the 21st century. All our produce should be genetically optimized and irradiated for safety, nutrition, and cost purposes.
To the luddites: go back to the 1800s!
By Josh
August 22, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
I agree with most comments on here. Irradiation is not good for us. Nor is it good for our food. Health will continue to deteriorate in our society if our food is constantly changed from the original, whole food form. Unfortunately, many people would like to make more money by extending the shelf-life of their food. Irradiation decreases nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes that help our bodies to function properly. Without these, we develop diseases like cancer, heart disease, etc. Say no to irradiation!
By l. gaglione
August 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
NO - DEFINATELY NOT!! THE MORE MAN TOUCHES FOOD THE MORE HE CONTAMINATES IT!! PHYTONUTRIENTS ARE DESTROYED IN THIS PROCESS. ALL THIS STUFF LIKE IRRADIATION,ADDITIVES, ETC & ETC. ARE FOR THE MERCHANTS BENEFIT TO ENHANCE HIS PROFITS AND INCREASE SHELF-LIFE OF HIS PRODUCT. NO CONCERN IS GIVEN ABOUT REDUCING AND/OR DESTROYING THE VALUE OF THE PRODUCT OR EVEN ADDING CHEMICALS HARMFUL TO THE HUMAN BODY. WE HAVE A HEALTH CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THIS ATTITUDE.
By BiteMe
August 22, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
I try to avoid anything these days that the FSA approves or considers “safe” - I mean, they want us to eat cloned meat and milk now (look it up if you don’t know about it!) and it’s bee approved, even though cloned animals die quicker and have mutations and are sickly - Now they want to radiate our food?!?!?! And they will push any new drug that comes through without thorough testing.
Only our government is hell bent on killing us slowly, but surely, as long as they reap the monetary benefits. And they want to take away the labels that will show consumers if a food is cloned or radiated, so consumers are blind to knowing what they are actually purchasing! We are just an experimention to them.
I don’t trust any of it and the words FDA APPROVED don’t mean jack!
By Wanda Stranberg
August 22, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
NO, OUR FAMILY WILL NOT EAT IRRADIATED FOODS! We purchase, at great sacrifice, supposedly healthy foods to nourish our bodies and promote health. **IT SHOULD BE A CRIME TO SELL FOOD WITHOUT CLEARLY LABELING AS IRRADIATED, ETC! The FDA is a worthless corporate lead group who clearly never has had consumers interests, health, or rights as any part of its real agenda. Americans are waking up, growing their own food. There is no trusting the foods that Americans are presented with from all over the world. Other countries are not subject to the same standards as the USA when they ship their food to our shores. We, the American consumers, stupidly believed that these shipments were all inspected and certified before going to ours stores. That is a laugh! You can only trust what you pull out of the ground yourself friends….and then only if you be sure to not plant Monsanto’s genetically altered seeds. Buy heirloom seeds of all kinds before our government outlaws them as “unsafe!”
By Barb
August 22, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Bravo FDA! You will, in no time, have a cash crop of dying Americans, via your poisoning of our entire food supply, chemically polluted vaccines, toxic pharmacuticals, and corrupt bully tactics toward hollistic medicine, supplements and therapies. What on earth will it take before they are stopped. Americans need to be more aware of this and take action. Maybe if enough countries ban more of our food exports, then maybe that will send a clear message. And YES, but heirloom seeds now before they are outlawed. BOYCOT Monsanto and other GMO seed companies. Find your local veggies farms and start canning, find your local gras feed beef and meat farms, your local farms for eggs and for your health!
By Concernedenizen
August 22, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Again, the FDA truly underestimates and insults the intelligence of Americans.
There are hundreds of articles, papers, and studies that clearly indicate produce irradiation is just another checked item on the list of “FOODS as WEAPONS” FDA —- > New World Order missive.
Did you know there are several components to plants that keep us healthy? They are so complex in fact, that scientists still don’t even understand how they full work. But one thing is clear: they work. Raw, organic foods are many people’s only saving grace against cancer and several other degenerative diseases.
The FDA propaganda is to be accepted, what with their fancy titles and expert scientific analyses. What I really want to ask a god damn FDA drone is, why all the sudden do they care about a few thousand people who die from e.coli? What about the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE KILLED EVERY YEAR
By Political Mongrel
August 22, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen a lot of hysteria and violent reaction here, but after two hours of trying, I”ve been unable to find any research or evidence that irradiation damages food or phytochemicals other than a bunch of wrought-up web sites. Do any of you know of any references to actual research? Not position papers, but ACTUAL research?
By Agree with Political Mongrel
August 22, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Just as Jeremiah Wright believes the federal government created AIDS, crack cocaine, and the interstate highway system to kill AAs, some folks believe the FDA is out to get them.
They should be so organized.
By Ronald
August 23, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Irradiation will do for produce and meat what pasteurization did for milk decades ago. The decision by FDA to approve irradiation of spinach and iceberg lettuce is a step in the right direction. Irradiation which is endorsed or supported by virtually every health and scientific organization on earth reduces E. coli in meat, spinach and leafy vegetables by more than 99.99 percent. Extensive research at leading universities and the USDA clearly shows that nutritioanl valu of the food is virtually unchanged at approved doses.
E. coli is usually found in ground beef, but recent cases have also involved leafy green produce and other foods. Sometimes dangerous pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 get inside the structure of produce and become internalized. These bacteria will unlikely be killed or removed by any chemical sanitizer or wash without damaging the product. However, internalized pathogens can be inactivated by irradiation because of its penetrating ability.
Irradiation is already used to treat more than 11 million pounds of produce, mainly mangoes, guavas, papayas and mangosteens, annually for disinfestation. Hopefully produce industry leaders will step forward to add irradiation to their arsenal of food safety weapons to protect us against deadly bacteria.
Government officials acknowledge that short of irradiation, there is no ruly effective “kill step” other tan cooking to 160 degrees to prevent E. coli contamination. In other words, experts recognize that irradiation is, in essence, a “magic bullet,” but only a few visionary companies are using it. Why? Would they rather let children die than spend time and a few dollars to educate their customers about the benefits of irradiation?
Companies such as Omaha Steaks and Schwan’s have irradiated 100 percent of the uncooked ground beef they sell for nearly a decade. Congratulations to them. Approximately 15 million pounds of irradiated ground beef are marketed annually. Hopefully in the future, others will prefer to prevent sickness and death by using irradiation as additional food safety tool instead of paying attorney fees and court costs.
It’s a tragedy that children are getting sick and dying when food borne illness can be easily prevented. Now is the time to begin routinely irradiating ground beef, produce and other vulnerable foods. Pass me the hamburger,but make sure it’s irradiated. And yes, I’ll have irradiated spinach and lettuce for my salad.
By gigi
August 23, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
how do we know our food is safe and untouched now? because the powers that be tell us so. like, you only know who your daddy is ‘cause that’s what your mama told you. grow your own, if it bothers you.
By VICK SUPPORTER
August 23, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
IF THEY EVER START IRRADIATING THE WATERMELON I STEAL SOMEBODY WILL HAVE TO PAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By JudyG
August 23, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Nop. I will buy organic from local farms and grow my own.
The main reason for this is not to prevent e. coli…. irradiating extends the shelf life. the older veggies get, the more nutrient loss there is in them. It might LOOK fresh, but how will you really know?
There ARE studies that show vitamin and nutrient loss in irradiated veggies and fruits, one need only Google for them.
By steve
August 23, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Yes, I would have no problem eating irradiated food. In fact E. coli is known to add a nice flavor to foods, especially if it comes from cow manure.
By @#%!
August 23, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Frankly, I don’t give a f* as long as it tastes good and doesn’t make me sick. And I doubt irradiation would make me sick, seeing as how it’s supposed to kill bacteria and stuff that makes you sick.
By RawVegan
August 23, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Bold: in response to Grant’s post
Of course. Irradiated food is just safer and there’s nothing wrong with it. By the way there’s nothing better about organic. It’s just a way to take advantage of people with money but no brains who are afraid of science and technology. This is the 21st century. All our produce should be genetically optimized and irradiated for safety, nutrition, and cost purposes.
To the luddites: go back to the 1800s!
In case you haven’t noticed, the rate of heart disease, obesity, cancer, and other “Western” diseases has increased drastically as our food supply has become more and more altered from its whole, natural condition. Irradiation is one more step in the destruction of our food supply, and I refuse to acquiesce. I will not eat irradiated food - organic is the way to go!
By MrLiberty
August 23, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Those of you that think we cannot do without the FDA need only look at their agenda. They are not about food safety, they are about the “perception” of food safety for the purpose of enhancing the profits of big agrobusiness. Whether it be genetically modified foods, bovine growth hormone, or food irradiation, the FDA cares more about profits than people.
Is there more that needs to be studied? You bet there is. Will it be? Not on your behalf now that the FDA has blessed it.
The biggest problem is that the FDA works tirelessly to prevent you and I from knowing what we are buying. When Bovine growth hormone was introduced, they fined dairies that wanted to inform their customers that their product was hormone free. They have attempted the same with genetically modified frankenfoods as well.
New technology is fine. Maybe something will come along that will be safe and effective. But as a consumer I should have the choice, and the government doesn’t allow that.
You don’t have to buy something with the UL label on it, but you know that if its there it means a certain level of electrical safety. They are not a government organization, but private, and they take responsibility for the label placed on products. There is no reason the FDA could not be replaced by one or multiple competing organizations who evaluate drugs, medical devices and diagnostic tests. Not keep products from the market, but provide independent analysis and ratings for the consumer and doctors to evaluate.
Write to you congressperson or senator and demand the end of the FDA. We have suffered with their incompetance for too long!
By brother bill
August 23, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
In the interest of industry protection, I propose that there be no disclosure of how food is prepared. Also the FDA can improve its statistics by ceasing to measure problems. Then they can state that there are no detectable levels of bacteria or rat hairs or insect parts in your food, simply because they have stopped measuring it. What harm could radiation to do our food? And don’t you realize that the rays from the Sun are Radiation. And what we eat has absolutely nothing what so ever to do with our health. The reason that we are sick with aches and pains is due to some nasty bacteria, not our junk food diet.
By Science rules
August 24, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Food irradiation IS safe and does not change the nutritional content of food(in addition to its use in reducing foodborne pathogens it also extends the shelf life of foods by reducing “spoilage” organisms).
Unfortunately the use of irradiation technology falls prey to those so-called consumer protection groups whose can only use non-science scare tactics to prevent this proven food safety procedure from being available to the consumer. It’s time for consumers to make informed decisions based on science and NOT the fear of the unknown!!!! Wake up people — use science to make INFORMED decisions!!! (This is the same uninformed thinking that results in one not vaccinating their children…)
By Science rules
August 24, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
In addition to my above post I would challenge those opposed to irradiation of food because of safety and nutrition concerns to identify peer reviewed papers to support their position (in reputable journals of course).
Mr Liberty’s above posting supports my (and others) points of uninformed subjective thinking that in general is in line with most of the general public. From his posting “When Bovine growth hormone was introduced, they fined dairies that wanted to inform their customers that their product was hormone free. They have attempted the same with genetically modified frankenfoods as well.”.
First, all milk for dairy cows contains “hormones” including BST, so dairies cannot state their product is “hormone free”. Second, your reference to “frankenfoods” again reflects your subjective non-science based undertanding of GMOs… Please educate yourself on a particular topic before you make decisions and statements that wrongly impact your health and likely that of your family.
By Cindy King
August 24, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
NO!!!! Absolutely not. Who wants to eat something that went through radiation. I try to keep away from radiation, don’t even use a microwave any more. Why would I want to buy food that has lost all of it’s nutrition from irradiation?????
By Tom
August 24, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
YES! I think we should allow most food to be irradiated and then labeled. Let the consumer decide. We now have a whole section in stores labeled ‘Organic’. Why not have a section for irradiated/pasteurized food.
By Eva Heims
August 24, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
I refuse to eat irradiated food since it is not as healthy and the enzymes are destroyed. 75% of the food I eat is raw. Food that has been irradiated no longer has the benefit of raw food. Raw food prolongs life and keeps us healthy.
By cd
August 24, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Where is all this radioactive waste going to go? There’s already been a huge irradiation accident in DeKalb County which contaminated land. Are there going to be radiation waste truck accidents which cause spills? Why would I want “hot” trace molecules in my food? We survived without this stuff before. I’m boycotting any grocery chain that would risk contamination of my environment by selling this garbage. Just as there’s supposedly “no evidence” that it’s unsafe - which there is - there’s “no evidence” that this is completely safe, and to the contrary, it’s been shown to be unsafe as there’s a history of accidents with the irradiation process.
By catlady
August 24, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
There is no excuse in Atlanta for folks not to grow their own spinach unless they live in an apartment with no access to fresh air and sunlight, or unless they are quadraplegic! In Atlanta you could grow spinach year round for your use. Here in the N ga mts I grow it about 10 months of the year, and I have no heat island effect to help me through the winter.
The more I see what is done to commercial food, the less hungry I am.
By tuffy
August 25, 2008 2:46 AM | Link to this
I am a scientist and medical doctor.
No, i will not eat irradiated food. FDA, USDA, and NIH will not support negative research and research results pertaining to this issue and other ”altered foods” such as GMO’s. europe/switzerland and USSR have completed unbiased research in these areas.
one of the biggest core issues with irradiating foods is that it is simply a band-aid for poor farming practices. e-coli is not a harmful bacteria in it’s normal state. we have it growing normally in our intestines, as do other animals. it is only a very few strains of e. coli that cause disease, and these only occur in animals (and their manure), that are subject to poor quality feeding practices that are inappropriate for their species as well as POOR QUALITY HUSBANDRY CONDITIONS: TINY HOUSING AREAS, OVERCROWDING, OVER MEDICATING (disease is rampant as a result of these stressors), AND STRESSFUL PRACTICES CREATING DISEASE. pathogenic e. coli grow well in these high stress, unhealthy conditions.
the FDA and USDA, instead of requiring sustainable, healthy, biodynamic farming practices that would result in healthy nutritious food and humanely raised healthy animals, benefiting ALL in the short and long run, would prefer to perpetuate, and even worsen the problem, by requiring irradiation.
one of the most grievous tangential aspects is the thought that people may not in the future be allowed to know whether they are eating irradiated and genetically engineered food or not. this is a basic violation of our rights and should be fought against with all of our might.
WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THIS ONE THING AT LEAST: WHETHER OR NOT YOU APPROVE OF IRRADIATION, LABELING OF ANYTHING WE TAKE INTO OUR BODIES SHOULD BE MANDATORY. WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW AND TO CHOOSE!!
By Bob
August 25, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
The problem with them is that, while they have a long shelf life, when they do begin to spoil it happens much more rapidly than with non-irradiated foods.
Also, they tend to lose flavor. You may purchase a beautiful piece of fruit only to find that it is lost most of it’s flavor.
By RamblinLonghorn
August 25, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
I don’t get it. Is this article about hydroponics? Last time I checked, sunlight is radiation.
For you conspiracy theorizing Luddites, you are exposed to around 60 millirems per year of what could be considered “harmful” cosmic ionized radiation (think gamma rays).
The average American will likely ingest around 20-30 millirems of “irradiated” food/air/water per year.
A Hospital radiologist may receive 500ish Mrems a year.
You don’t start to enter the danger zone until about 5 Rems (that’s 1000 millirems).
So if it’s all right with you guys, I’ll worry more about dieing from food contaminated with resistant E Coli than I will from Radiation poisoning in my Spinach.
By Sugar
August 25, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
I’m making preparations for a veggie garden next year, so I don’t have to worry about this kind of stuff.
I’ll just grow my own and sell whatever’s left over at the local community farmer’s markets.
By The Director
August 25, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
This is the FDA! The commerical sale and use of non-irradiated foods will be illegal soon because it is not safe. The use of homegrown gardens to produce fruits and vegetables will be outlawed as well to ensure public safety. Non-compliance will result in fine and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years. The FDA encourages local citizenry to stand up and notify local authorities whenever they see non-compliant foods being bought or sold in their neighborhood stores. Remember, the FDA can’t do it alone, we need your help in ferreting out the radicals who want to poison our food supply w/ “organic” or “all natural” foods. To knowingly allow non-irradiated , non genetically altered foods to be traded is as bad as doing the illegal trading yourself!
By Jason
August 26, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
No, I would not buy it. This is another attempt by the liberals and their evil ways to unravel the fabric of society and our religious beliefs. The Bible condemns irradiated food, and we cannot eat it or we shall all go to hell.
By Jason
August 26, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
No, I would not buy it. This is another attempt by the liberals and their evil ways to unravel the fabric of society and our religious beliefs. The Bible condemns irradiated food, and we cannot eat it or we shall all go to hell.
By Marlene
August 26, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
I would only buy organic - don’t try to pass off something that supposedly is no different - otherwise don’t make it different :-)
By GS
August 26, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
YES!
I would eat irradiated spinach, just like I would let a doctor poke my arm with an irradiated syringe, or use an irradiated catheter to implant an irradiated stent in my heart. I’d rather not die from infection, thank you very much.
By HealthyMe
August 26, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Um, to all of the people who think irradiation is great:
Common Sense: If irradiation kills BUGS, I mean, destroys all of the cells in their little bug bodies…just what do you think it does to the delicate enzymes and nutrients in plant cells??? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the nutritive value of plants will be significantly lowered by irradiation. That’s why irradiated produce can sit on the shelves longer- most of the natural enzymes present that are involved in the ripening/decay are destroyed!!! HELLO????? Those same natural enzymes are the ones your body needs to stay healthy and digest properly!
For all of you out there who think irradiation is so safe, I dare you to go stick your hand in one of those irradiation machines and see what happens.
By HealthyMe
August 26, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Response to RamblinLonghorn:
Um, last time I checked, sunlight didn’t kill bugs, plants, bacteria, people, etc….I wouldn’t equate irradiation with the natural sunlight…there’s a BIG, BIG, difference
By Joy
August 26, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
No, I do not want my foods irradiated!! The FDA also allows ground up buttons, umbrellas, and polyester fibers to be added to food as fillers. All plant food should be grown on fertile soils to ensure optimum nutrients, whether organic or not, to provide healthy non-depleted plants for healthy people and animals. If certain people want the FDA to provide irraditated foods, then they should make that a new separate category, just like organic. And because of higher cost of the equipment and supplies to produce irradiated foods the government can add that cost to your separate irradiated food, which they probably are adding to the already irradiated foods. The FDA, food and Bold:drug administration can continue to charge you Italic:(prices up the nose) people that do not care about having healthy produce grown on nutrient packed soil, charge you for your medicines, that are plant based and loaded with some of the nutrients that you think you do not need. For the person above who said that irradiation is just to disinfect the food, the Nazi’s said that the gas chambers were to disinfect the Jews. Grow Victory Gardens, again- from WWII- Bold:YOUR VICTORY GARDEN COUNTS MORE THAN EVER!
By amber
August 27, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
No, I would NOT ever purchase irradiated food. There is an energetic component that most people don’t understand that is being destroyed. All food carries a life force, the more you mutilated and alter the original structure of the food we eat the less life force there is in the food. No life force means no energy to sustain our own human system. We will be killing ourselves slowly but surely….it seems like greed may be behind this solution rather than a sincere concern about the welfare of our plant.
By Jane
August 29, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
NO! This is inexcusably dangerous and is being done because industry won’t take the necessary steps to clean up its production process.
By Dave
September 13, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Will I get superpowers if I eat an irradiated apple?
By Michele
September 16, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Never!
By beckycake
September 16, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Definitely not. Spend more resources supporting organic farming (the products, the jobs, the families) than trying to come up with new, cheaper ways to make money and still call what we eat ‘food.’ !!!
By jo
September 16, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
NOPE, won’t buy it; won’t eat it….EVER! I buy fresh fruits and veggies for their nutritive value and flavor. Irradiation diminishes nutrional value, and I certainly have no want to eat a package of greens that have an over-extended shelf life due to irradiation. The FDA caters way too much to BigGrocery and BigPharma giving consumers short shrift!
By Laura
October 15, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this
Absolutely not.
As if my love for organics wasn’t enough, it was when my almost annoyingly skeptic, down-home Physics PhD’d boyfriend said, “that sounds insane, that could cause all kinds of dangerous damage to the DNA of foods. I would be very cautious about eating anything that’s been irradiated,” in response to my asking his scientific opinion on the subject (it’s nice to have a physicist around). Really. The FDA just keeps proving it is corrupt and is not to be trusted.
By rolnoalzel
November 7, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
orousitd
By rolnoalzel
November 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
orousitd
By Peter
November 18, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I enjoy the glow, healthy or not.
By nana
November 20, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
No, I will go out of my way to avoid eating any irradiated foods! This about it: we don’t know the long-term consequences of irradiation. Just as with tobacco and asbestos: they were allowed and even supported by the public, government and OBVIOUSLY the companies until it was PROVEN that they are unsafe! People here in US always try to be positive about something until it is too late and they are sick (or look at the deregulation of the banking and housing market)!!! Plus, it is a common sense that once the food (especially produce) is treated with rays, it loses most of its nutritional value. It loses taste, smell, texture as well. How in the world would parents try to make kids choose strawberries, etc. that taste horrible where there is a “yummy” donut that is so much tastier (yet it is made up of tons of high fructose corn syrup, packed with trans fats and has NOTHING healthy about it)!!! As I see it, we’re moving in that direction already with all the super processed foods, extra fats, sugars and chemicals in our foods instead of practicing safe farming and treat the problem at its source, not just irradiate and kill everything of value at the end b.c it is cheaper. Think about it: what FDA approved is for the large farms and companies to continue to have filthy farms and dirty/gross processing facilities and then irradiate everything (even if there is feces, dead bugs, parts of dead animals, etc. it will be OK to eat as long as it is irradiated!!! Gross? Disgusting? No benefits for the body? Potentially hazardous for the body in the long term? Yes, I think so!
By nick_clalac
December 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
http://www.message_getdronc.com/