Tell FDA to Rescind its Approval for Irradiated Ground Beef
FDA has overlooked substantial evidence that irradiated food may not be safe for human consumption. Based on research, CFS has told FDA that more than one-third of the studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals that looked at the question of genetic damage caused by consuming irradiated food actually showed genetic damage in animals, humans or cell cultures.

SEND A LETTER:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Dear Acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford
Please feel free to personalize this message, your voice counts.

Division of Dockets Management Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 (HFA-305) Rockville, MD 20852 RE: Citizen Petition No. 4Z4752 on irradiated ground beef Dear Acting Commissioner Crawford: I am writing in support of Citizen Petition No. 4Z4752 to revoke the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of irradiation to treat ground beef. I urge the agency to rescind its approval of irradiation for ground beef for the following reasons: The 1997 FDA approval for irradiation of ground beef was flawed since the agency based its decision on deficient scientific studies; FDA failed to test for the toxicity of unique chemicals formed when ground beef is irradiated. While FDA knew of the existence of these chemicals as early as 1972, the agency failed to test for their potential to cause harm to humans; Recent research from Germany and France indicates that some of these chemicals are harmful to laboratory animals. In addition, the research indicates that there are questions about how these chemicals are metabolized in the body--an issue that deserves continued research; Consumer groups Public Citizen and Center for Food Safety have demonstrated the existence of these potentially harmful chemicals in irradiated ground beef that is currently being sold in the United States; FDA failed to apply its own protocols when evaluating the safety of the chemicals produced when foods are irradiated. The FDA approval has led to irradiated ground beef being marketed in some 5000 supermarkets across the country. While that meat is required to be labeled so that consumers can make an informed choice, it is disturbing to me that some chain restaurants are offering irradiated ground beef to unwitting customers since information about food prepared with irradiated ingredients does not have to be divulged. The FDA approval has also led the United States Department of Agriculture to remove its prohibition on purchasing irradiated ground beef for the National School Lunch Program--thus setting up the potential for our school children to become the largest group of consumers of irradiated ground beef without having complete scientific assurances of its safety. For all of these reasons, I urge you to rescind your approval of irradiation for ground beef. Sincerely,

Sincerely,
Your signature will be added from the information you provide below.