From: Laura Horochowski [laurahor@flash.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 12:27 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Irradiated sprout seeds

Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

December 5, 2000

Dear FDA:

We are writing to object to the use of ionizing radiation on seeds for
sprouting and
for that matter on any food.  Irradiation has the potential to adversely
effect the health 
of our family.  We are disturbed that the Food and Drug Administration
approved this
process, particularly for seeds that sprout, the sprouts of which will not
be labeled.

Specifically, we object because:
1) No toxicity studies have been done on the sprouts that grow from
irradiated seeds.
The research used to approve the irradiation of sprouting seeds was the
same flawed 
research used to approve the irradiation of food directly.  It was
negligent to approve food 
irradiation without any research on the long-time effects of its
consumption; it is even more 
negligent to assume the effects of irradiation will be the same on
sprouting seeds.

2) The FDA approved the irradiation of sprouting seeds at a maximum dose of
8 kiloGray, 
though data was submitted on the nutritional changes in sprouting seeds
irradiated at only 
6 kiloGray.

3) Sprouts resulting from irradiated seeds will not be labeled.  We have a
right to know what 
we are eating and any attempt to circumvent this knowledge is unacceptable.

We urgently urge you re-evaluate this decision.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Laura Horochowski
Eric Orrill
12805 Bryce CT. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112