Don't Call It "Food Irradiation," Call It "Cold Pasteurization"

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A news release from the Washington, D.C.-based Public Citizen organization notes that "for the past five years, the food irradiation industry has been attempting to ... change the current labeling requirements for irradiated foods so that they could be labeled as either 'cold pasteurized' or 'electronic pasteurized.' But public opposition has been stiff. Now, irradiated foods must be labeled as 'treated with radiation' or 'treated by irradiation.' The food irradiation industry has been advocating a change because consumers are reluctant to purchase irradiated foods." Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has come to the food and irradiation industry's rescue, quietly inserting language into the massive farm bill that allows the use of the deceptive euphemism.