Anonymous - Comment

As a member of the Organic Consumers Association, I am writing to oppose the FDA's plan to allow the irradiation of lettuce and spinach. Food irradiation, the bombarding of food with high levels of x-rays (ionizing radiation) in order to destroy disease-causing pathogens, is a controversial practice that has not been proven safe; in the process of irradiation, other hazards arise, like the creation of toxic free radicals, vitamin and nutrient loss, and the formation of carcinogenic chemicals. While irradiated lettuce and spinach must be labeled in supermarkets, there are currently no labeling requirements whatsoever for restaurants, schools, hospitals, or nursing homes serving irradiated produce or other nuked foods such as beef. Consumers should not be exposed to irradiated foods without their knowledge.