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but never sourced or referenced, was conducted in the early than non-volatile substances). Twenty-three of the substances 1980s. The study, quoted by the IAEA in its brochure, "Facts were also found in thermally processed (or cooked) foods and 36 About Food Irradiation", involved more than 400 "volunteers" in other non-irradiated foods. Only six could not be confirmed in who ate irradiated food for 7 to 15 weeks as part of eight separate the scientific literature as identical to substances found in foods, studies in China. The volunteers reportedly showed "no more although they were similar to natural food constituents. chromosomal abnormalities"—an early warning sign of cancer- Collectively, these six substances would be present in foods in the causing activity—than those who ate non-irradiated foods. amount of three milligrams per kilogram—"like three drops of Another study is quoted in the expert testimony to the US con- water in a swimming pool", according to the FDA, dismissing the gressional hearings into food irradiation in June 1987. Cited by problems in one fell swoop.” George L. Tritsch, PhD, cancer research scientist at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, New York State Department of Health, the WHAT'S IN STORE FOR US ALL study was conducted in 1975 and was originally documented in The pro-irradiation literature does not address the unknowns of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Indian researchers food irradiation. Just as chemicals can cause cancer or genetic were concerned with the effects of irradiated food on malnour- effects and it is best to assume there is no safe level of exposure to ished people. They researched this with 10 children suffering them, so too for radiation. Any exposure to chemicals or radia- from kwashiorkor, a severe lack of protein. The 10 children were tion can cause the initial damage that develops into a cancer. divided into two groups of five. Before the trial started, blood Many and varied foods are being irradiated and marketed com- samples were taken and examined as the starting point for each mercially in developed and developing countries. The ICGFI has child. One group of five children was the control group, the other _ been particularly active in promoting irradiation to developing the experimental group. Diets were identical, except for the fact countries. Bangladesh is irradiating dried fish, frozen fish and that wheat for the experimental group had been freshly irradiated some cereal products. China has more than 60 irradiation facili- with a dose of 0.75 kGy, the dose ties treating a wide variety of foods recommended for grain disinfes- including garlic, rice, spices and tation. After four weeks, blood condiments, packaged foods, samples were taken and four of Sichuan sauce, fruits and meat. The the five children eating irradiated quantities of irradiated products are wheat showed gross chromoso- After four weeks, blood samples in thousands of tonnes. Indonesia is mal polyploidy with other abnor- were taken and four of the five irradiating dried spices, tuber and mal cells also present.” After six A A A A root crops, grains, dried fish and weeks, blood samples were taken children eating irradiated wheat frozen foods both for test marketing from the experimental group and showed gross chromosomal and commercial purposes. In 1996, a sharp increase in polyploid . . total quantities of irradiated products lymph cells was found compared polyploidy with other abnormal exceeded 6,000 tonnes. The to the level at four weeks. The cells also present. Republic of Korea commercially control children showed no irradiates spices, dried vegetable abnormal cells in their blood dur- ing the trial. seasonings and ginseng products. An irradiation facility in Thailand To protect the experimental irradiates nahm (fermented pork group children from eventual sausage), spices, seasonings, herbs harm, the researchers decided to halt the trial at this stage. They and crude enzymes for commercial purposes. Vietnam irradiates realised that freshly irradiated wheat could be problematic. commercial quantities of tobacco for insect disinfestation, in addi- Instead of the wheat being fed within two to three weeks of irradi- tion to some food such as onions and dried fish. India irradiates ation, it was first stored for 12 weeks before it was used in the diet spices for commercial purposes. More commercial irradiation of a new group of five children. This time, the polyploid cells facilities are either planned or under construction in China, India, showed up for the first time after six weeks. After the irradiated the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.” wheat had been withdrawn, it took 24 weeks before the blood of In the United States, the FDA gave approval for the irradiation the children fed irradiated wheat reverted to normal and all abnor- of red meat on 23 February 2000. The FDA has also approved mal cells had completely disappeared. Proponents of food irradia- irradiation for a variety of other foods, including fresh fruits and tion have attempted to dismiss this study, since only a small num- vegetables and spices. An FDA brochure, "Food Irradiation—A ber of individuals was involved. Safe Measure", published in January 2000, says the agency deter- Different doses of radiation produce different amounts of radi- mined that the process is safe and effective in decreasing or elimi- olytes and different kinds of chemical products. A vast number of nating harmful bacteria and states that irradiation also reduces new molecules can be formed from the irradiation of a single mol- spoilage bacteria, insects and parasites, and in certain fruits and ecular species, to say nothing of a complicated mixture of food. vegetables it inhibits sprouting and delays ripening. For example, Theory cannot predict the nature or number or quantity of the new irradiated strawberries stay unspoiled for up to three weeks, ver- compounds, which vary depending on the kind of food, the season sus three to five days for untreated berries. and location in which it was produced. The organisations which contributed to the content and printing In the 1970s, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the FDA brochure were the American Meat Institute, the questioned the safety of radiolytic products and reviewed over Department of Health and Human Services (US FDA), Food 250 studies evaluating substances formed in irradiated foods, Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers of America, National using data from a US Army research program. About 65 volatile Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Food Processors substances were identified in irradiated foods (the FDA focused Association and The American Dietetic Association. on volatile substances because they would likely be more toxic Herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings are among the first than non-volatile substances). Twenty-three of the substances were also found in thermally processed (or cooked) foods and 36 in other non-irradiated foods. Only six could not be confirmed in the scientific literature as identical to substances found in foods, although they were similar to natural food constituents. Collectively, these six substances would be present in foods in the amount of three milligrams per kilogram—"like three drops of water in a swimming pool", according to the FDA, dismissing the problems in one fell swoop.” After four weeks, blood samples were taken and four of the five showed gross chromosomal polyploidy with other abnormal cells also present. 22 - NEXUS children eating irradiated wheat FEBRUARY — MARCH 2001