This is treating the symptom to avoid addressing the cause. IBP and Farmland are two of the country's largest meat processing facilities. Another problem with irradiated meat is the threat to small farmers in the United States. Family farmers and small food producers are finding it near impossible to compete economically with corporate factory farms. The extended shelf-life of irradiated food will help foreign meat producers to drive the small American farmer out of business.
Most American consumers share the views expressed at the news conference.
A 1997 CBS News poll found that 77 percent of Americans would not buy irradiated food. Just last week, Huisken Meats began distributing irradiated hamburger patties for sale in Minnesota. However, this requirement does not apply to processed foods or meat dishes served in restaurants and cafeterias.