No McNukes!

Wed, 17 Dec 1997 19:23:00 +0000

Just over two weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration approved the
irradiation of red meat to destroy deadly bacteria such as e-coli.
Proponents of the move say that for a few cents more, a pound of hamburger
or sausage can be zapped with radiation that kills harmful bacteria by
altering their genetic makeup. Some critics say that it should only be used
as a last resort, when food cannot be cleaned up any other way, because
consumers don't want to eat "sterilized filth."

One of the nation's leading critics of food irradiation, Michael Colby,
director of the advocacy group Food & Water in Walden, Vt., believes that it should not be
used in any case. Salon spoke with Colby about whether irradiation makes food safer -- or creates new health risks, especially to children.

What is your concern about irradiated red meat?

Food & Water is opposed to the irradiation of all food products on the
basis of the health concerns, environmental impact and nuclear
proliferation surrounding this technology. The health issue is potentially
quite serious. When you expose food to the equivalent of 10 million to 70 million
chest X-rays ...

Salon.com > Ros Davison

No McNukes!