From: kstrick@velocity.net
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 9:47 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Irradiation Labeling, Docket No 98N-1038



Food and Drug Administration, Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20857

Dear Food and Drug Administration, Dockets Management Branch,

I want irradiated foods to be clearly and conspicuously
labeled. "Irradiation" is a commonly understood term
that FDA should not discard for a deceptive substitute.
I'm not at all comfortable that stuidies reflect potential
long-term effects.  As a concerned parent and holistic
counselor, I want to be sure that I have a choice.
 I want my children to have a choice. Many chronic
health concerns do not show up until later in life,
often the result of long-term consumption of chemicals
and additives in our foods. 
 Informed choice is part of a free-market economy.
Some shoppers want to buy irradiated foods because
they want foods with lower pathogen risks. Other shoppers
may avoid irradiated foods because of changes in taste,
smell, texture, or nutrition, or for other reasons.
FDA should not stand in the way of consumers making
those choices by putting confusing new labels on irradiated
food. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 



Sincerely,


Kathryn Strick M.A., CRC
Ecohaven Wellness Consulting
3112 Aberdeen Avenue
Erie, Pennsylvania 16506