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FDA Approves Irradiation of Spinach Despite Uncertainties About Consumer Safety
FDA Approves Irradiation Despite Uncertainties About Consumer Safety
Source Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Food & Water Watch Executive Director
August 21, 2008
“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it will allow fresh spinach and
iceberg lettuce to be treated with ionizing radiation. Nearly two years after a major E. coli
outbreak was linked to California spinach, it is unbelievable that the FDA’s first action on is
this issue is to turn to irradiation rather than focus on how to prevent contamination of
these crops. This just illustrates once again how misplaced this agency’s priorities really
are. Instead of beefing up its capacity to inspect food facilities or test food for
contamination, all the FDA has to offer consumers is an impractical, ineffective and very
expensive gimmick like irradiation.
“Very little testing has been conducted on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated
vegetables. Treating lettuce or spinach with the equivalent of tens of millions of chest X-
rays can ruin its flavor, odor, texture, color, and nutritional value. The cellular structure of
these foods may not be able to withstand the effects of irradiation, which along with killing
bacteria, damages everything else in its path.
“There also is no system in place to irradiate large amounts of perishable vegetables and
deliver them to market. Today, only two commercial irradiation facilities specifically
designed to irradiate food are in operation. Building an infrastructure of irradiation facilities
to treat a meaningful portion of the 9 billion pounds of lettuce and nearly 1 billion pounds of
spinach consumed in the United States each year would be a massive undertaking.
“Irradiation is a Band‑aid, not a cure. Allowing spinach and lettuce to be irradiated would
simply mask unsafe production practices, while supplying lower quality, less nutritious and
potentially hazardous food. Instead of pursuing irradiation, vegetable growers and
processors should improve flawed sanitation practices and FDA should inspect vegetable-
processing plants more thoroughly. American consumers expect more and deserve better
than questionable ‘treatments’ like irradiation.”
Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights organization based in Washington, D.
C. that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Visit
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
Source Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Food & Water Watch Executive Director
August 21, 2008
“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it will allow fresh spinach and
iceberg lettuce to be treated with ionizing radiation. Nearly two years after a major E. coli
outbreak was linked to California spinach, it is unbelievable that the FDA’s first action on is
this issue is to turn to irradiation rather than focus on how to prevent contamination of
these crops. This just illustrates once again how misplaced this agency’s priorities really
are. Instead of beefing up its capacity to inspect food facilities or test food for
contamination, all the FDA has to offer consumers is an impractical, ineffective and very
expensive gimmick like irradiation.
“Very little testing has been conducted on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated
vegetables. Treating lettuce or spinach with the equivalent of tens of millions of chest X-
rays can ruin its flavor, odor, texture, color, and nutritional value. The cellular structure of
these foods may not be able to withstand the effects of irradiation, which along with killing
bacteria, damages everything else in its path.
“There also is no system in place to irradiate large amounts of perishable vegetables and
deliver them to market. Today, only two commercial irradiation facilities specifically
designed to irradiate food are in operation. Building an infrastructure of irradiation facilities
to treat a meaningful portion of the 9 billion pounds of lettuce and nearly 1 billion pounds of
spinach consumed in the United States each year would be a massive undertaking.
“Irradiation is a Band‑aid, not a cure. Allowing spinach and lettuce to be irradiated would
simply mask unsafe production practices, while supplying lower quality, less nutritious and
potentially hazardous food. Instead of pursuing irradiation, vegetable growers and
processors should improve flawed sanitation practices and FDA should inspect vegetable-
processing plants more thoroughly. American consumers expect more and deserve better
than questionable ‘treatments’ like irradiation.”
Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights organization based in Washington, D.
C. that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Visit
www.foodandwaterwatch.org