Nexus - 0802 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

foods to be targeted for irradiation. Canada quickly approved "generally accept" irradiation may be difficult. However, much of them for irradiation,” and now Europe and countries such as this "acceptance" will be forced upon sovereign nations under the Australia are waging similar pro-irradiation campaigns. provisions of the World Trade Organization Agreement on the After a decade of debate, the European Parliament has issued a —- Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPM). This directive to create a legal framework for the single market for agreement is a global standard for food sanitation and sterilisa- foodstuffs treated with ionising radiation. The implementing tion, and includes food irradiation as an acceptable treatment directive at this stage includes only one group of products— process. At present, governments can deny entry of any products namely, dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings. into their country. However, under the terms of the SPM agree- The final list of foods to be irradiated is expected to be considered ment, governments will be required to justify, on scientific by the European Parliament this year.* grounds, why a particular product should be denied entry. With In Australia, the company Steritech Pty Ltd has applied to the these considerations and with irradiation endorsed by regional Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) to irradiate plant protection organisations and international organisations such herbs (fresh and dried, including garlic, onions and ginger), teas as the WHO and the FAO as a quarantine treatment for fresh agri- (including herbal teas), nuts and spices.* Australia had a morato- _ cultural produce, governments will find it extremely difficult, if rium on food irradiation in place until August 1999 when, togeth- _ not impossible, to deny the entry of food treated by irradiation. er with decisions about genetically modified foods, the Australia The international symbol for radiation-treated food is the New Zealand Food Standards Council slipped through the Radura—a round flower with two petals pictured inside a broken removal of the ban with no public debate whatsoever. ANZFA circle. The Radura is marketed as an emblem of quality. It was issued a detailed information package on irradiation to the media _ first used for South African and Dutch irradiated foods. The and placed it on its website on 6 August 1999, but little media colour of the Radura emblem is green, which consumers may reporting has ensued on the topic. ANZFA has invited public unconsciously associate with fresh, clean and environmentally submissions regarding the Steritech's application, and, although safe produce. In reality, irradiated food may be old and stale, and the initial round of public "consultation" has already been held, a _ irradiation facilities are far from environmentally friendly. second round and consideration of a draft report will take place in Although food may be marked "treated with irradiation" or February/March 2001 and a decision regarding Steritech's appli- show the Radura emblem, at present there is no way of knowing cation will then be made. To make a submission, visit whether unlabelled food has been radiation-treated. Even the best www.anzfa.gov.au or write to ANZFA, PO Box 7186, Canberra _ regulations on labelling are of limited value unless they can be Mail Centre, ACT 2610. enforced. Transnational food companies see the dollar signs before their Until a single test for detecting irradiated food is developed, eyes when it comes to irradiation. The extension of shelf-life and and monitoring agencies are trained to use it, consumers will be at storage periods which food irradiation allows is attractive to the the mercy of food processors who are responsible for the labelling transnationals because it enables them to increase their profits by _ of irradiated food. None of the labelling presently requires the reducing wastage and to deliver products to the shops when it is dose of radiation to be indicated, nor the number of times the economically advantageous to do so. It also enables them to product has been irradiated. transport exotic foods around the world more easily. Leading representatives from transnational food companies and IRRADIATION ACCIDENTS grocery manufacturing associations have stated their intention to Decisions to irradiate food extend beyond the concerns of con- use food irradiation as the process becomes more widely accept- sumers. An irradiation facility in the local community means the ed. The Grocery Manufacturers of America website* quotes the presence of large quantities of radioactive material as well as President and Chief Executive Officer of ConAgra Inc., Bruce Rhode: "ConAgra Soerpa Pens Cornanver FS stands ready to use irra- Le hs diation technology once ivontiior public acceptance of es irradiation becomes j stronger and when irra- Marocall Corrise Spuiern diation is commercially —— available." On the same Alursirum Coren website, Manly Molpus, : President and Chief Executive Officer of Grocery Manufacturers of America, tells read- ers: "Irradiation is like- ly to be generally accepted by Americans : Soarea Rh and be as useful to their “ah Gebel health and safety as pas- teurisation was for milk a decade ago." Getting consumers to Diagram of a cobalt-60 irradiation facility (Source: Steritech Pty Ltd brochure) Pool Fag "generally accept" irradiation may be difficult. However, much of this "acceptance" will be forced upon sovereign nations under the provisions of the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPM). This agreement is a global standard for food sanitation and sterilisa- tion, and includes food irradiation as an acceptable treatment process. At present, governments can deny entry of any products into their country. However, under the terms of the SPM agree- ment, governments will be required to justify, on scientific grounds, why a particular product should be denied entry. With these considerations and with irradiation endorsed by regional plant protection organisations and international organisations such as the WHO and the FAO as a quarantine treatment for fresh agri- cultural produce, governments will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to deny the entry of food treated by irradiation. The international symbol for radiation-treated food is the Radura—a round flower with two petals pictured inside a broken circle. The Radura is marketed as an emblem of quality. It was first used for South African and Dutch irradiated foods. The colour of the Radura emblem is green, which consumers may unconsciously associate with fresh, clean and environmentally safe produce. In reality, irradiated food may be old and stale, and irradiation facilities are far from environmentally friendly. Although food may be marked "treated with irradiation" or show the Radura emblem, at present there is no way of knowing whether unlabelled food has been radiation-treated. Even the best regulations on labelling are of limited value unless they can be enforced. Until a single test for detecting irradiated food is developed, and monitoring agencies are trained to use it, consumers will be at the mercy of food processors who are responsible for the labelling of irradiated food. None of the labelling presently requires the dose of radiation to be indicated, nor the number of times the product has been irradiated. IRRADIATION ACCIDENTS Decisions to irradiate food extend beyond the concerns of con- sumers. An irradiation facility in the local community means the presence of large quantities of radioactive material as well as NEXUS - 23 Diagram of a cobalt-60 irradiation facility (Source: Steritech Pty Ltd brochure) FEBRUARY — MARCH 2001