From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org]
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 3:20 PM
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.  Although 
irratdiation may not fall under the strict definition of a "food 
additive", I have a right to know what occurs during the processing of 
foods I choose to eat. Any attempt to circumvent this knowledge is 
unacceptable.

I demand you reevaluate this decision.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Janet Harvey
2000 N Court St #6F
Fairfield, IA, 52556

CC: 
Senator Charles E. Grassley
Senator Tom Harkin
Representative Leonard L. Boswell

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