- 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.
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- 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.
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- The FDA issued guidelines explaining how companies can
petition the agency to use more neutral language on the labeling of food
treated with radiation.
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- 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.
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- Some green groups and environmentalists fear using high-energy
radiation in food products could have harmful side effects for consumers.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- The six-year US farm law, implemented in May, required
the FDA to consider easing its labeling requirements.
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- 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.
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- In its petition, a food company must submit consumer
research that shows a comprehension of the proposed label.
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- The FDA said it will either accept or deny the application
within six months.
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- An FDA spokeswoman said the agency was expected to publish
proposed changes to the current labeling requirements soon.
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