From: goldsand@attglobal.net
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2001 11:10 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,


Dear Commissioner Schwetz: 

When it comes to the food that I eat, I want to know
exactly what it is and exactly how it has been treated.
 I want irradiated foods to be clearly and conspicuously
labeled so that any consumer knows exactly what they
are purchasing.  "Irradiation" is a commonly understood
term that the FDA should not discard for a deceptive
substitute. 

I am certain that I am not the only one who feels this
way. In fact, all of the people I have ever talked
to about this subject, are strongly opposed to even
trying irradiated foods.  Furthermore, an independent
opinion poll in 1999, commissioned by the American
Association of Retired Persons and the Center for Science
in the Public Interest (I subscribe to their magazine
to keep myself well informed), showed overwhelming
support for the term "Treated by Irradiation," instead
of "Electronically Pasteurized" or "Cold Pasteurized."
  The term "pasteurized" means - to probably about
99% of all consumers - something similar to how milk
is processed, yet our milk is not "irradiated"!!! Someone
out there - or some organization - is trying to trick
us once again, and this is a scary prospect to me!!!
 It's right up there with genetically messing with
our corn and other whole foods!  Just as consumers
want label information about "dolphin-safe tuna" or
"low fat" foods, they also want clear information on
 irradiated food.  Most definitely! 

Please do not change the change the current sensible,
understandable label. 
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.
 The FDA should not stand in the way of consumers making
these choices by putting confusing, hard-to-understand
new labels on irradiated food.  Thank you for your
attention to this matter. 




Sincerely,


Lynne Goldsand
P.O. Box 701
Poughquag, New York 12570