Irradiation creates new chemicals in food, including know carcinogens, like benzene in irradiated beef. Others are unique to the irradiation process and their effects on human health remain unknown. But irradiating beef in an attempt to rid our food supply of bacteria fails to address the root causes of our food satety crisis. The harmful effects this technology will have on human life and the environment remain largely unknown. In effect, the beef irradiation's approval gave the industry permission to conduct a massive human experiment in the name of food safety.
Irradiation destroys essential vitamins and creates carcinogenic chemicals in food.
Existing irradiation facilities have poor safety records, with records of contamination, spills and dangerous human overexposures. Scientists, including the chair of the 1982 FDA irradiation committee, found the studies used to demonstrate irradiation's safety inadequate and flawed Approval Doesn't Equal Use Beef irradiation's approval was based on political pressure, not scientific proof of safety. Citizen's don't want irradiated food. A recent CBS poll found that nationwide 73 percent of people oppose irradiaton, and 77 percent say they wouldn't eat irratiated food. Of course, government approval of this dangerous technology does not mean citizens will buy irradiated food.