- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US
food companies can seek federal approval to avoid using the word "irradiation"
on labels of foods treated with the disease-killing process, and instead
use language such as "cold pasteurization," the Food and Drug
Administration said on Tuesday.
-
- Irradiation, which has been endorsed by the World Health
Organization, exposes food to low doses of electrons or gamma rays to destroy
deadly microorganisms such as E. coli O157:H7 and salmonella. US regulators
have approved its use with raw chicken and beef as well as spices and dried
seasonings.
-
- The FDA issued guidelines explaining how companies can
petition the agency to use more neutral language on the labeling of food
treated with radiation.
-
- American foodmakers have been slow to adopt the treatment
for raw meat and poultry because of the cost of the equipment and worries
about consumer acceptance.
-
- Some green groups and environmentalists fear using high-energy
radiation in food products could have harmful side effects for consumers.
-
- Currently, foods treated with the technology must carry
labels saying either "treated with irradiation" or "treated
by radiation." They must also bear a special symbol, known as the
radura, which consists of green petals in a broken circle.
-
- Some food makers that want to use radiation say consumers
interpret the radura symbol and the word "irradiation" as a food
safety warning. Critics say the industry is trying to use euphemisms to
hide that their products were irradiated.
-
- The six-year US farm law, implemented in May, required
the FDA to consider easing its labeling requirements.
-
- In its industry guidelines, the FDA said any company
could apply to revise its irradiation labels as long as the new label is
not false or misleading.
-
- In its petition, a food company must submit consumer
research that shows a comprehension of the proposed label.
-
- The FDA said it will either accept or deny the application
within six months.
-
- An FDA spokeswoman said the agency was expected to publish
proposed changes to the current labeling requirements soon.
-
-
- Copyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited
without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable
for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance
thereon.
|
