From: pamelabahosl@hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 5:04 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Irradiation Labeling, Docket No 98N-1038



Food and Drug Administration, Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20857

Dear Food and Drug Administration, Dockets Management Branch,

I want irradiated foods to be clearly and conspicuously
labeled. "Irradiation" is a commonly understood term
that FDA should not discard for a deceptive substitute.
I'm not the only one who feels this way. An independent
opinion poll in 1999, commissioned by the American
Association of Retired Persons and the Center for Science
in the Public Interest, showed overwhelming support
for the term "Treated by Irradiation," instead of "Electronically
Pasteurized" or "Cold Pasteurized." Just as consumers
want label information about "dolphin-safe tuna" or
"low fat" foods, they also want clear information on
irradiated food.  

Please don't change the current sensible label.  It
has been around for aver a decade so many people recognize
it. Informed choice is part of a free-market economy.
Some shoppers want to buy irradiated foods because
they want foods with lower pathogen risks. Other shoppers
may avoid irradiated foods because of changes in taste,
smell, texture, or nutrition, or for other reasons.
FDA should not stand in the way of consumers making
those choices by putting confusing new labels on irradiated
food, especially ones that are vague. (It seems the
proposed labels were suggested by industry with an
intent to confuse rather than inform.) 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 



Sincerely,


pamela hosler
6571 Arsenal St
St. Louis, Missouri 63139