*please post widely*
*apologies for cross-posting*

Action Items

1) Last call for comments on irradiated food in the National School
Lunch Program!

The USDA public comment period on their proposal to purchase irradiated
food for the National School Lunch Program is ending in 30 days!  So,
please get as many folks as you can to send in comments before April 11!
The USDA had originally declared a 30-day comment period right before
Thanksgiving, but when several Congressional members wrote letters to
the USDA to request an extension of the comment deadline, the USDA
declared the comment period "open-ended."  Now, they have declared that
in 30 days the comment period is over and a decision on whether or not
to purchase irradiated food for federal nutrition programs is expected
in April.  The USDA is supposed to post all comments online, but are
backlogged by thousands of comments.  Of the ones that they have posted,
4 times as many comments are against irradiation as for it.  Let's keep
the comments coming!

E-mail is the best way to contact them, so please send comments to:
[log in to unmask]

For talking points go to
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/schoollunch/articles.cfm?ID=8758


2) New Stores Selling Irradiated Meat - They May Be In Your Area!

New supermarket chains have chosen to stock irradiated meat including
Bi-Lo, Bruno's Copps Food Center, Dierberg Markets, Food Fair, Food
World, Fresh Value, Marsh Supermarkets, Martin's, and Stop & Shop.  Go
to
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/food_irrad/articles.cfm?ID=8724
to find out what supermarkets in your state are carrying irradiated meat
and send them a free fax requesting that they pull it from their
shelves.

New Developments at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart has recently begun a test-marketing effort of irradiated
ground beef in a few of their supercenter stores.  Check out your local
Wal-Mart to see if they are stocking it.  If they are, tell the meat
manager that you don't want it, and let us know which store is carrying
it.  You can also send a free fax to Wal-Mart in opposition of them
carrying irradiated meat by going to
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/food_irrad/articles.cfm?ID=9025.


3) Help Canadians Fend Off Irradiation!
On November 23, 2002, Health Canada announced proposed new regulations
to extend the use of food irradiation in Canada to include ground beef,
poultry, shrimp and prawns, and mangoes. With only one week's notice,
Health Canada, the arm of the Canadian government that oversees food
irradiation, began to hold a string of public forums across the country.
Public Citizen gave public testimony at the Ottawa hearing.

Originally, the deadline for public comments was set for February 21st,
2003, but as a result of unavailable materials and public dissent, the
deadline was. Health Canada is following the same process seen in the
United States. They are pushing irradiation on the Canadian public
without proper input from citizens. They are ignoring years of research
indicating health concerns associated with eating irradiated foods. They
are turning a blind eye to the economic ramifications on small-scale
farmers. You can help, fax or email a letter opposing food irradiation
to the Canadian government.


SAMPLE LETTER
Bureau of Food Regulatory, International and Interagency Affairs
Building No. 7 (0702C1), Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2
Fax: 613-941-3537
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

Health Canada:

On November 23, 2002, Health Canada posted proposed new regulations to
extend the use of food irradiation in Canada to include ground beef,
poultry, shrimp and prawns and mangoes.

I urge you not to approve the widespread use of irradiation in Canada.
The United States has been pushing this dangerous technology, despite
the disapproval of the American citizens. Now, Americans are not 100%
sure that their food is free from irradiation and children may be eating
irradiated foods, despite research indicating decreased wholesomeness of
irradiated food. Europe, on the other hand, is taking the lead in
protecting their citizens. In December 2002, the European Parliament
voted against extending the list of approved irradiated foods beyond
spices, herbs and seasonings. Now, the European delegates to Codex, with
the support of their Scientific Committee on Food, oppose eliminating
the maximum dose level for irradiating foods.

Canada too can be a leader in protecting their citizens. Do not follow
the hasty actions of the US by blindly accepting increased irradiation
in Canada. I urge you to protect your people.

Yours Sincerely,
Your Name and Address

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-Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program





Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
www.iowa.sierraclub.org
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