Labelling needed for irradiated food

For many years I have been seeking, without success, an authorisation statement from the Government on the quantities of food on sale which has been treated by the process of irradiation, together with details of its potential harmful effects.

The consumer is asked to believe that irradiation of fresh foods is in their interests. By keeping food looking fresh it is supposed that the consumer will believe it is fresh. The truth is that food irradiation serves only the interests of the producer and processor by prolonged shelf-life.

A huge quantity of imported fruit and vegetables is irradiated, and there is absolutely no way either the importer or consumer can tell if the products have been subjected to all this process.

The labelling of irradiated fruit and vegetables (at a minimum) is a matter that must be taken up by our Government at EEC level, so that at least the consumer can be afforded a choice.

I would like to get a report from the appropriate authority on the long-term effects of consuming irradiated food.

The Department of Agriculture will tell you, as it told me, “that the matter is one for the Nuclear Energy Board and vice versa”. When I purchase goods advertised as fresh, I expect them to be so — and not doctored with some preservative spray to make them look fresh.

Cllr Noel Collins

St Judes

Midleton

Co Cork