Irradiated foods?

[Pat]

Please talk to me about irradiated foods! What about whole foods, "organic" foods, are they irradiated too? I've never seen Anything labeled with this information! Anyone have any links with more accurate information than I've been able to locate?

Apparently, they are irradiating wheat flour (since 1963). And meat and poultry since the '90s. It is perfectly safe according to this "fact sheet" prepared by the UW Food Irradiation Education Group: (an obviously objective source!)
http://uw-food-irradiation.engr.wisc.edu/Facts.html

"When microbes present in the food are irradiated, the energy from the radiation breaks the bonds in the DNA molecules, causing defects in the genetic instructions."

"In addition, irradiation is widely used to sterilize a variety of medical and household products, such as joint implants, band-aids, baby pacifiers, cosmetic ingredients, wine and bottle corks, and food packaging materials."

"FDA's red meat approval added another product category to the already lengthy list of foods the agency has approved for irradiation since 1963. These include poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, dry spices, seasonings, and enzymes.

As part of its approval, FDA requires that irradiated foods include labeling with either the statement "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation" and the international symbol for irradiation, the radura. ***Irradiation labeling requirements apply only to foods sold in stores.***For example, irradiated spices or fresh strawberries should be labeled. When used as ingredients in other foods, however, the label of the other food does not need to describe these ingredients as irradiated. Irradiation labeling also does not apply to restaurant foods."
http://www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/1998/398_rad.html

I'm not convinced that the *consumer* is notified of the irradiation. Perhaps, only the FDA requires notification labeling when transporting goods? I don't understand the claim that food is labeled, either. I've never seen anything labeled "irradiated".


Thanks,
Pat