Green | August 24, 2008 | 23 comments

FDA plots to mislead consumers over irradiated foods: Natural News

source: http://www.naturalnews.com/023956.html

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JanforGore
"Consumer awareness is considered undesirable by the FDA; an agency that also works hard to censor truthful statements about nutritional supplements and functional foods. Accordingly, the FDA pursues a policy of enforced ignorance of consumers regarding irradiated foods, nutritional supplements, medicinal herbs and all sorts of natural substances. It is currently illegal in the United States to state that cherries help ease arthritis inflammation if you are selling cherries. (http://www.naturalnews.com/019366.html)

On the food irradiation issue, the FDA is now proposing two things that are nothing short of astonishing in their degree of deceit:

FDA proposal #1: Irradiated foods shouldn't be labeled as irradiated unless consumers can visibly tell they're irradiated.

This ridiculous proposal by the FDA suggests that foods shouldn't be labeled as irradiated unless there is some obvious material damage to the foods (like their leaves are wilting). Thus, foods that don't appear to be irradiated should not have to be labeled as irradiated.

Imagine if this same ridiculous logic were used to regulate heavy metals content in foods: If consumers can't SEE the heavy metals, then they should be declared free of heavy metals!

FDA proposal #2: Irradiated foods should be labeled as "pasteurized," not "irradiated."

This FDA proposal is so bizarre that it makes you wonder whether the people working at the FDA are smoking crystal meth. They literally want irradiated foods to be labeled as "pasteurized."

And why? Because the word "pasteurized" sounds a lot more palatable to consumers, of course. Never mind the fact that it's a lie. Irradiated foods are not pasteurized, and pasteurized foods are not irradiated. These two words mean two different things, which is precisely why they each have their own entries in the dictionary. When you look up "irradiated," it does not say, "See pasteurized."

But the FDA is now playing the game of thought police by manipulating the public with screwy word replacement games that bear a strange resemblance to the kind of language used in the novel 1984 by George Orwell. And it is, indeed, an Orwellian kind of mind game that the FDA wants to play with the food supply: After unleashing Weapons of Mass Destruction (radiation) onto the foods, the FDA wants to label them all as simply being "pasteurized," keeping consumers ignorant and uninformed.

How do I know the FDA wants to do this? The agency said so itself in an April 4, 2007 document filed in the Federal Register (Volume 72, Number 64). As published in the document (2):

FDA is also proposing to allow a firm to petition FDA for use of an alternate term to "irradiation'' (other than "pasteurized''). In addition, FDA is proposing to permit a firm to use the term "pasteurized'' in lieu of "irradiated,'' provided it notifies the agency that the irradiation process being used meets the criteria specified for use of the term "pasteurized'' in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) and the agency does not object to the notification."
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This deception is simply so immoral and so absolutely out of the realm of all humanity that I find it hard to wrap my head around it. The FDA, an organization of the US federal government that is supposedly here for our safety, only sees us as guinea pigs. They did it with GM foods, Rbgh, and the countless drugs on the market killing people, and they now do it with radioactive food without our consent. I don't even know what to say anymore. And this is so important because people otherwise will not know of this unless it gets out to the masses, and yet the media will not tell people about this. How many will have to get sick or die before it is considered news?


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23 comments // FDA plots to mislead consumers over irradiated foods: Natural News

  • wholefreespirit
    • 0
      wholefreespirit  

    • Not really all that surprising hu Jan? The FDA has been corrupt and irresponsible for a long time. Thanks for this information. Keep up the good fight.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  
    • Image

    • European Public Health Alliance

      Short briefing about food irradiation in Europe
      A coalition of European NGOs have launched a campaign against food irradiation in the European Union.

      Food irradiation involves exposing food to energy from sources such as gamma rays, X-rays or electron beams.

      The aim is to kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms that may cause food poisoning. Irradiation has other effecs such as delaying ripening and sprouting in foods, thereby helping to extend shelf life.

      The Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission have established principles for the irradiation of foods together with control procedures.

      In Europe, EU Directive 1999/2/EC provides for the laws concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation. To date, only one food category - dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings - has been included on the list of foods that may be irradiated. The Directive specifies provisions including the source of ionising radiation, controls on the level of radiation permitted and food labelling requirements. Conditions are also specified for the importation of irradiated foods.

      In Europe, food irradiation is not widely used.

      Only a few licences have been granted for the irradiation of spices. In the USA, food irradiation has been widely used on red meat, especially ground meats. All foods that have been irradiated must be clearly marked as such.

      Different opinions in Europe

      The "European Food Irradiation Campaign" argues that food irradiation can cause cancer or destroy key nutrients (eg vitamin A and C). Among other demands, they call on the European Union to close the list of foodstuff that can be irradiated and to develop control programmes. Their full statement can be viewed in the attachment.

      On the contrary, the Heart of Mersey and some of EPHA’s members - the British Medical Association (BMA), the Royal College of Physicians of London, Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPS) - believe that irradiation, carried out under certain conditions, is a safe and effective food processing method that can prevent poisoning, reduce the amount of saturated fat and kill bacteria in foods. Their whole statement can be downloaded below.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Perhaps as you stated in regards to what you believe, there have been no side effects to irradiation in Europe because it is not widespread in use. Europeans seem to have much better judgement and care when it comes to food, the environment ,and a host of other things that it seems the US government doesn't give a damn about as long as it brings them $$$$$$$$$$ and control. My question is, if it is so safe, why does the US still constantly recall meat due to e coli outbreaks?

    • 3 years ago
  • PersonaNonGrata
  • tracyetheridge
  • Vierotchka
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • Edit: Again, my post content was changed without my consent. There is no question mark at the end of the title of this article at the link, therefore that is how it should be presented. I am tired of Current staff coming into my postings and changing titles, content, and tags without my knowledge. I am also sure if anyone has a problem with the title they can contact the author of the piece. I would also state that if there is no clear delineation on food that it was irradiated, that is misleading. Thank you.

    • 3 years ago
  • nobody04
    • 0
      nobody04  

    • Does radiated food taste like Creole?
      I'm game, just as long as I get super powers, and not some horrible slow death along with the destruction of my would-be offspring.
      Thnx FDA, any other bright ideas to destroy human beings?
      Is the discussion of a lynch party over excessive? Anyone? "Bueller..."

    • 3 years ago
  • Wilkono
    • 0
      Wilkono  

    • There you go, internet population. Lodge your complaints at the web address above. Finally, there is something concrete you can do to perhaps fight back against an oppressive and malignant... what is it? FDA? New World Order? Well, good luck!

      Please, for the love of all things good, do something! Not a day goes by that another link is found between the good ol' US of A and the bleak world of 'Nineteen Eighty Four'. Save yourselves. And fast.

    • 3 years ago
  • queenofit
    • 0
      queenofit  

    • I just found this news release regarding this FDA "amendment" it states we can submit electronic objections until Sept. 22, 2008....

      Here is the statement in full.....

      8/22/2008-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for control of food-borne pathogens, and extension of shelf-life, in fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach. The amendement is approved at a dose up to 4.0 kiloGray (kGy).

      This rule is effective August 22, 2008. Submit written or electronic objections and requests for a hearing by September 22, 2008.

      The August 22, 2008 edition of the FDA Federal Register states that the action is in partial response to a petition filed by The National Food Processors Association on behalf of The Food Irradiation Coalition.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • cibalin: yes, our freedom of choice is now gone...unless we fight for it. I don't know what gives the FDA the right to do anything like this without our consent, but it is obvious we have not lived in a Democratic Republic for quite some time.

      And to the one naysayer in this thread: you didn't even get the entire point of this post. I don't give two farts in space if you or anyone else wants their food biofake, nuked, or loaded with poison, but *I* and everyone else have the right to know what the hell we are eating to be able to make an informed decision regarding whether we want to buy it and feed it to our children!

      This is then important information to disclose to people, and really, the cavalier way so many treat it is really starting to make me believe many people in this country are just plain lazy and stupid. I am getting my fruits and vegetables from a local farmer's market, and I will make sure it isn't biofake or nuked... that is for damn sure. It isn't even about "organic" it is about SAFETY and DISCLOSURE. Though I will take organic over what the FDA is shoving down our throats any day.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • Zapped! Irradiation and The Death of Food

      'Whether poultry, meat, fruit or vegetable, food around the world is being exposed to high doses of radiation under the veil of protecting consumers from foodborne illness. *Zapped! Irradiation and the Death of Food*, a new book by Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter and researcher Mark Worth, explores why this process, known as food irradiation, poses numerous health risks to consumers and ignores the fundamental problems plaguing food production systems.'

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
  • cibalin
    • 0
      cibalin  

    • OMG!! What is up with this? It's all about choice and they want to take that away from us. Little by little they want to take our freedom from us. I SAY NO, NEVER!!

    • 3 years ago
  • queenofit
    • 0
      queenofit  

    • http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/health/policy/22spina...

      "Critics say that not only does radiation make food less nutritious and potentially toxic but that the process also *does not* eliminate the risks of food-borne illnesses. An analysis by the Centers for Science in the Public Interest found that most outbreaks of illnesses associated with salad are caused by viruses, which are not affected by the doses of radiation approved by the F.D.A." *my emphasis

      and this...

      "The government has long allowed food processors to irradiate beef, eggs, poultry, oysters and spices, but the market for irradiated foods is tiny because the government also requires that these foods be labeled as irradiated, labels that scare away most consumers."

      so now they want to remove the label so we don't know what they are doing to our food. They are so worried about our health, sure right.

      We know it is about profit, not safe handling. How in the world have we ended up in this mess? We know how; corporate takeover is what it is called, mystery solved.

      It is going to make someones P&L statement look good. Oh, and sick people, that is a commodity too!

      I would rather take my food as is, than zapping everything with radiation? But that is just me...

      (But it won't be labeled, so I don't get that choice)

      Oh and by the way....

      " Additionally, irradiation does not work to stop toxins produced by some bacteria (like botulism); viruses, like foot and mouth disease or hepatitis, are resistant to the irradiation doses used in food; and prions (thought to be the cause of BSE, or Mad Cow disease) are resistant as well. "
      http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/food_irrad.cfm

    • 3 years ago
  • queenofit
    • 0
      queenofit  

    • Donald B. Louria, MD University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey says...

      "It is distressing to me that despite all the studies, many favorable and many unfavorable, the FDA utilized only five safety studies.

      I looked in detail at two of those studies. Each raises considerable question. In one, the irradiated food was obtained from some other group and we are never actually given any data to show that the food was irradiated properly or even irradiated at all.

      Additionally, the authors note an increase in abnormalities in dogs at autopsy and then seem to feel that the abnormalities they found were meaningless and should be ignored. In the other study from England, in the group receiving the food irradiated most, there were increased deaths in the offspring and this is completely ignored even though the authors say there is no explanation for it.

      To me, it is somewhat amazing that these are listed as two of the five studies that are considered impeccable enough to be evaluated for safety. Those studies have considerable imperfections. For the FDA to selectively choose the five is, I believe, improper for deciding safety."

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  
    • Image

    • Again, post the evidence.

      From this site:

      Bombardment of a food by ionizing radiation: "gamma rays" from nuclear material, x-rays or high-speed electrons from electronic guns. They are used to kill bacteria in the food. Electrons are knocked off molecules and ricochet around in the food. They break up cell walls, slice and dice chromosomes, kill enzymes, and create free radicals (oxygen atoms missing an electron). These free radicals recombine to form stable compounds, or continue their destructive path. Some of the compounds created are known to be cancer-causing (formaldehyde, benzene, lipid peroxides). Others have never been seen or studied before. These new compounds are called Unique Radiolytic Products (URPs). Scientists have not studied the long-term effects on humans of a diet of irradiated foods containing unknown amounts of URPs. Therefore, we cannot say that URPs have no health effects, or that a diet of irradiated food is safe.

      Food irradiation is not the same as microwaving. Gamma rays, x-rays and electron beams carry more energy than microwaves. They also affect the food differently.

      The food does not become radioactive unless there is equipment error or human error. Very tiny amounts of radioactivity can be created by electron-beam irradiation. They decay rapidly, but may cause problems if irradiated foods that have not been stored are eaten regularly. For this reason, the Government of India decided not to allow irradiation of wheat, a major food in many people's diets.

      The doses permitted by the FDA for food irradiation vary by the food. For fruits and vegetables, a maximum dose of 100,00 rads (1 kiloGray), for poultry, 450,000 rads (4.5 kiloGray), for red meat, 700,000 rads (7 kiloGray), for spices 3,000,000 rads (30 kiloGray). Comparisons to human x-rays vary, but even the 1 kiloGray dose is equivalent to millions of chest x-rays.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • No lasting effect? Then why the need to hide it on the food packages or change the wording? Prove then that there are no lasting effects. Post the scientific evidence.

    • 3 years ago
  • kaffegeek
    • 0
      kaffegeek  
    • JanforGore:

      prove a negative ?

      the fda has done exhaustive research, peer reviewed, and re-reviewed. the net effect is. irradiated is safer than food filled with bacteria, mold and viruses.

      tens of thousands of children wont die in africa alone if irradiation were wide spread.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
  • mischabarrett
    • 0
      mischabarrett  
    • JanforGore:

      I would like to see details of this research too. I am a big fan of scientific development, and equally a sceptic of the middle-class, self-congratulating epidemic of organic food obsession, but don't want processes to be given carte blanche to our food chain when we don't know what the long-term effects are.

    • 3 years ago
  • wholefreespirit
  • kaffegeek
    • 0
      kaffegeek  

    • if all produce were irradiated, the amound of wates and spoilage would plummet.

      people would also stop getting sick and dieing of ecoli etc...

      I WANT irradiated food, it is just gamma rays, no lasting effect on food or humans.

      organic is bullcrap, the human digestive system breaks food down to molecules and simple proteins our cells dont care.

      organic may taste better or help soften stool, (my favorite) but you cells dont care.

    • 3 years ago
  • wholefreespirit
    • 0
      wholefreespirit  
    • kaffegeek:

      You have a right to that opinion...and I have a right to mine. The problem is, if my food is not labeled properly, it takes away my right to choose. I shop certified organic because I feel like it's the only way I can really know what I am eating....I'm not telling anyone what to eat, just asking that I have the right to decide for myself. I don't want to be a guinea pig...but you feel free.

    • 3 years ago
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