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corporate claims. A 1979 review of 1223 studies in the field of food irradiation tabulated 1414 adverse effects, Although limited applications of food irradiation have 185 positive effects, and 900 neutral effects. Some been around for many years, the U.S. Food and Drug studies conducted on the process have led to predictions Administration (PDA) has just recently given the food- of genetic mutations—not just in the bacterial parasites processing industry the green light to start irradiation of that infest food, but in humans who consume it. fresh fruits and vegetables. This follows FDA approval Even the FDA agrees that irradiation creates new substances in foods. These are called radiolytic products, The National Coalition to Stop Food Irradiation and many of them are still unidentified. This has led (NCSFI) claims that the government's OK of food NCSFI to demand that the FDA rescind its approval of irradiation is the result of a concerted campaign to irradiation until it is able to scrutinize these substances establish a nuclear food industry, whose main purpose is to provide storage for the waste products of the nuclear The argument that irradiation can substitute for many power and weapons industries-specifically, Cobalt 60 pesticides is also false according to NCSFI. Most pesticides are applied before harvest. But irradiation is Both of these elements emit Gamma rays, the shorter rays with more penetrating radiation, that either kill or sterilize food contaminants such as Salmonella and other The effects of radiation on food is not the only safety issue. When you understand that irradiation proponents The food processers, who are expecting this want to set up 1000 irradiation units around the country, technology to increase their exports and profits, claim you can see that this means a big expansion in the use of that food irradiation will act as a substitute for many dangerous pesticides and fungicides now widely used by The dose of radiation already approved by the FDA for the agricultural industry. The FDA has backed up this use on vegetables, fruits, and pork is 1 million times the dose of radiation in one chest X-ray. For spices it's 30 Additional benefits claimed by the Coalition for Food Irradiation (the industry-sponsored group whose members Some irradiation plants are located in densely include Hormel, Campbell Soup, Nestle's, and Purina) populated areas near schools, child-care centers, and include extending the shelf life of foods, limiting homes. The radioactive source material is transported spoilage, and using this increased supply to feed the from nuclear power and nuclear weapons facilities on public highways and railroads. The current issue of the NCSFI newsletter, "The Food Irradiation Alert!", cites of pork irradiation in 1985. and Cesium 137.

bacterias, fungi, and other parasites.

claim.

world's hungry.

Not everyone, however, has been taken by these more thoroughly.

only done after harvest.

Expansion of radioactive materials radioactive materials.

million times one chest X-ray. nations."

government's hands," he said.

caused by food scarcity. people.

U.S. government.

allow such an advance to happen.

bet.

CA 94159.

Note: The National Coalition to Stop Food Irradiation can be contacted at P.O. Box 59-0488, San Francisco,