From: bluegod@14thdoor.com
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2001 11:14 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 have recently learned that there is a chance that
irradiated foods may not be clearly labeled as such.
 Please understand that I want irradiated foods to
be clearly and conspicuously labeled as such. "Irradiation"
is a commonly understood term that the FDA should not
discard for a deceptive substitute. 

I'm not the only one who feels this way. An independent
opinion poll in 1999, commissioned by the American
Association of Retired Persons and the Center for Science
in the Public Interest, showed overwhelming support
for the term "Treated by Irradiation," instead of "Electronically
Pasteurized" or "Cold Pasteurized."  

Just as consumers want label information about "dolphin-safe
tuna" or "low fat" foods, they also want clear information
on irradiated food.   While there may not be clear
evidence for or against the health risks of irradiated
foods, the consumer must be allowed to make any decisions
regarding his or her diet, and unclear labeling makes
such a decision impossible. 

Please don't change the current sensible label. 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,


Rev. Derick Benatar
1229 Cloverdale Drive
Richardson, Texas 75080