The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some members of Congress, and the
irradiation industry are trying to limit your right to know about how your food is produced.

Just ask Brian Folkerts, Vice President for Government Affairs of the National Food Processors Association, who said "The word 'irradiation' has a very negative connotation. It is an impediment to consumer acceptance of irradiated food. Changing the federal labeling law is an A-list priority," when addressing the Food Irradiation 2001 conference in Washington, DC, on Feb. 28.

Despite the fact that the FDA received over 20,000 comments opposing any changes in the current labeling requirements for foods that have bee irradiated, which included a petition with over 16,000 signatures opposing any attempt to weaken labeling, they have indicated the issue lacks "consensus" and are now going so far as to commission focus groups.

FDA is seeking permission from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to bamboozle the public by rushing through a plan to conduct focus groups to find euphemisms to disguise the fact that food has been irradiated, so that consumers will be more likely to buy it. The FDA is considering weakening the already feeble labeling requirements by permitting the food industry to use the phrases "cold pasteurization" or "electronic pasteurization."

Please write to OMB and urge them not to allow the focus groups because the American public has already spoken on this issue; we want clear and conspicuous labeling of irradiated foods!

The deadline for comments is April 9th.

The Docket is posted online at:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/oc0172.pdf

Send Comments to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Docket No. 01N-0135, New Executive Office Bldg., 725 17th Street NW., RM. 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Desk Officer for FDA

Sample Letter

Date

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
OMB
Docket No. 01N-0135
New Executive Office Bldg.
725 17th Street NW.
RM. 10235
Washington, DC 20503

Docket No. 01N-0135

Attn: Desk Officer for FDA

Dear OMB,

I am writing regarding Docket No. 01N-0135, Agency Emergency Processing Under OMB Review; Focus Group Study of Radiation Disclosure Statement Options For Foods Treated With Ionizing Radiation. I urge you to deny the Food and Drug Administration's request to expedite the collection of information from focus groups.

Additionally, I oppose the weakening of labeling requirements. Labeling needs to be clear and conspicuous, not misleading. Any changes to the current allowable phrases, "treated with radiation" or "treated by [or with] irradiation", would be deceptive. The current labeling language does not provide consumers with adequate information about irradiation. Please do not allow this inaccuracy to go even further.

Many other citizens agree with me. Despite the fact that the FDA received over 20,000 comments opposing any changes in the current labeling requirements for foods that have been irradiated, which included a petition with over 16,000 signatures opposing any attempt to weaken labeling, they have indicated the issue lacks "consensus" and are now going so far as to commission focus groups.

I respectfully request you do not grant the FDA's request of emergency processing and oppose any further weakening of labeling requirements.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Address

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