From: Vicki Vermeer [joelj@jps.net]
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 7:09 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: irradiation of juice

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

12/11/00

RE: Docket No. 99F-1912

Dear FDA:

What are you doing to us now?  I object to the Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow the use of 
ultraviolet radiation to "treat" fruit and vegetable juice. Irradiation has the potential to adversely affect the health of my family.
 
Next you will be allowing companies to irridiate our fresh veggies and fruit even though it has been proven harmful in other countries.


Is it true that the company that applied for the irradiation permit admits that UV 
radiation destroys 48 percent of the beta carotene and 13 percent of the 
vitamin C in orange juice?  Did you ignore warnings from agency scientists 
who urged that more tests on nutrient destruction should be conducted and 
analyzed before the permit was approved?

Did you determine a safe level of radiation to which juice can 
be exposed and still be safe for human consumption, as federal law requires?

 Did you conduct independent analysis to determine the potential 
toxicity of the new chemicals formed in irradiated juice?

Is it also true that the company that applied for the irradiation permit offered to prevent 
the release of smog-forming ozone during the irradiation process?  Are they now preventing that release?
And did one of your scientists warn you that "ozone can have deleterious health effects on humans who may 
be exposed to it (e.g. via inhalation), and may have undesirable effects on 
organoleptic qualities of the juice."  ?  Please answer these questions.  you can e me back at joelj@jps.net .

You work for me and I respectfully demand you reevaluate this decision. Thank you for your time.  I am sending a copy of this letter to my representatives in the congress and senate, and will send another copy to our president whenever they determine who he is.

Sincerely,


Vicki Vermeer
www.juiceplus.com/+vv09779
p.o. box 33
Tuolumne, CA 95379
209-928-1184