Spring 1986 RAIN Page 59 Food Irradiation The Coalition to Label Irradiated Foods in Oregon has initiated a statewide petition for legislation to require labeling for all irradiated foods. Consumers United for Food Safety (CUFFS), in Seattle, has initiated a similar but non-binding petition. The FDA may imminently rule that irradiation is a process, not an additive, and thus does not require labeling under the Additive Amendment of the 1958 Food Act. Opponents counter that irradiation generates radiolytic products that were not in the food before, and so should be considered to introduce additives. Fruits and vegetables have been approved by the Department of Health and Human Services to be irradiated and labeled with the word “PICOWAVED,” along with a pleasant flower-like symbol. After two years, only the symbol would be used. The petitions reject this labeling as non-informative. Food irradiation introduces radiolytic products, the health effects of which are unkown. Of 413 animal studies reviewed by the FDA, 344 were inconclusive, 32 showed adverse health effects, and 37 were interpreted as evidence of safety. However, a contradicting FDA memo stated that of the latter 37 studies, only 5 appeared to support safety. Instead of doing more tests, the FDA declared that levels below 100 Krads are safe, based on estimates of amounts of radiolytic products formed. A significant percentage of nutrients are destroyed by irradiation. The irradiation industry is enthusiastic about irradiated products' shelf life, and cites irradiation as a safe alternative to EDB for killing insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Spokespeople claim that in 10 years, 1,000 irradiators will be operating. Concerns about worker and community exposure abound. The issue is brought home to the Northwest since only the PUREX (Plutonium-URanium- EXtraction) plant in Hanford, Washington can reprocess nuclear waste into Cesium capsules for irradiation facilities. For more information, contact the Coalition to Label Irradiated Foods, 13665 South Mueller, Oregon City, OR 97045; 503/632-4091. Pacific Cascaclia Publications The New Catalyst, bimonthly, in Canada $12/year, in the U.S. $18/year (Canadian) from; The New Catalyst PO Box 99 Ullooet, BC VOK IVO This new bimonthly tabloid from the land up north is impressive. The first two issues presented a wealth of well-written articles on bioregionalism, the Green movement, cooperatives, peace issues, environmental protection, indigeonous peoples, and more. Coverage is mostly regional in nature, but much of it is more conceptual than newsy, and some articles have been international in scope, such as reports on the nuclear-free Pacific movement and the European Green movement. Each issue takes on a particular theme. The first was devoted to “The State of the Movement;” the second offered a very worthwhile look at ‘bioregionalism, demonstrating that bioregional sensibilities are alive and flourishing in British Columbia. The New Catalyst is a welcome addition to the alternative publications in this region. In fact, it might well be worth your while even if you don’t live in the neighborhood. —FLS Pacific Cascadia Good News Network, bimonthly, $15/year from: Good News Netork 208 Tacoma Avenue North #10 Tacoma, WA 98405 Tired of bad news? The Pacific Cascadia Good News Network is a new newsletter designed to spread news of good work within the Pacific Cascadia bioregion. The first issue contained reports from throughout the entire region, including Portland, Vancouver, BC, and several cities in western Washington, but coverage in the second issue was more limited to Washington. Kind of like RAIN'S Pacific Cascadia Bioregion Report, but with more of a new age flavor to it. —FLS
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