From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org]
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 9:05 AM
To: FDA Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Subject: Label Irradiated Alfalfa and all Other Irradiated Sprouting
Seeds!

Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852



Dear FDA:

I am writing to object to the use of ionizing radiation on seeds for 
 sprouting.  Irradiation has the potential to adversely effect the health 
of my family.  I am disturbed the Food and Drug Administration approved 
this process, particularly for seeds that sprout, the sprouts of which 
will not be labeled.

Specifically I object because:

1. No toxicity studies have been done on the sprouts that grow from 
irradiated seeds.  The research used to approve the irradiation of 
sprouting seeds was the same flawed research used to approve the 
irradiation of food directly.  It was negligent to approve food 
irradiation without any research on the long-term effects of its 
consumption; it is even more negligent to assume the effects of 
irradiation will be the same on sprouting seeds.

2. The FDA approved the irradiation of sprouting seeds at a maximum dose 
of 8 kiloGray, though data were submitted on the nutritional changes in 
sprouting seeds irradiated at only 6 kiloGray. 

3. Sprouts resulting from irradiated seeds will not be labeled.  I have a 
right to know what I am eating and any attempt to circumvent this 
knowledge is unacceptable.

I demand you reevaluate this decision and other decisions you are making 
for the HEALTH of all!!!!.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Emily Costello

Emily Costello
18 Hawthorne st.
Bradford, ma, 01835

CC: 
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Senator John F. Kerry
Representative John Tierney

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