From: EXECSEC Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 5:02 PM To: EXECSEC Subject: FW: Irradiation Labeling, Docket No 98N-1038 -----Original Message----- From: elderwash75@earthlink.net [mailto:elderwash75@earthlink.net] Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 2:56 PM To: bschwetz@oc.fda.gov Subject: Irradiation Labeling, Docket No 98N-1038 Bernard A. Schwetz Food and Drug Administration 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 Dear Bernard A. Schwetz, 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 we consumers want label information about "dolphin-safe tuna" or "low fat" foods, we also want clear information on irradiated food. It is also very important that there be consistency of labeling. So, what I am asking you to do is to assure that the labeling is both clear and consistent. Please don't change the current sensible 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. FDA should not stand in the way in which we consumers make those choices by putting confusing new labels on irradiated food. Thank you for your attention to this matter. -------END OF LETTER------------------------- If you would like to be removed from the CSPI list, please respond to this email with "REMOVE" as the subject line or visit: http://actionnetwork.org/home.tcl?key=1358543A16871B0221113810C212 *********************************************** Powered by LocusPocus, Inc. Enabling Organizations To Achieve Their Mission http://www.locuspocus.com *********************************************** --- Alfred Washburn --- elderwash75@earthlink.net --- EarthLink: It's your Internet. ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-Type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII
 
 
 
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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 we consumers
want label information about "dolphin-safe tuna" or
"low fat" foods, we also want clear information on
irradiated food.  It is also very important that there be consistency
of labeling.  So, what I am asking you to do is to assure that
the labeling is both clear and consistent.  
 
Please don't change the current sensible 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. FDA should
not stand in the way in which we consumers make those choices
by putting confusing new labels on irradiated food.
 
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
 
Sincerely, Alfred D. Washburn 1855 So. Van Gordon St. Lakewood, Colorado 80228