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Patty Lovera – (202) 797-6557 or
Jen Mueller – (202) 797-6553

USDA’s “Risk-Based” Imports Mean More Irradiated Food for U.S. Consumers

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter

“Today, the United States Department of Agriculture released a final rule that radically deregulates the process by which fruit and vegetables can be imported into this country from abroad. The USDA’s rule would dismantle a system that’s been in place for nearly 20 years, under which no fruit or vegetable can be brought into the United States before it is thoroughly screened for potential threats from invasive pests and plant diseases, before a rigorous legal review process is completed, and before the public has a full opportunity to comment on or object to increased imports.
 
“The rule makes it significantly easier for other nations to export their products to this country, especially products that have undergone post-harvest ‘phytosanitary’ treatments such as irradiation to kill fruit flies.
 
“This rule’s promotion of controversial technologies like irradiation as a technique for expanding the global trade in fruits and vegetables does a disservice to U.S. consumers, who will be exposed to food that is older, less nutritious, and may contain byproducts of irradiation, long term health impacts of which are not well understood.  It also affects U.S. producers who will be forced to compete with a flood of low-cost fruit and vegetables.
 
“Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has said that other countries consider our import-review process a “trade barrier,” and that this new rule will help expand trade.  This new rule offers further proof that USDA is more concerned about promoting trade than protecting food safety or domestic agriculture.
 
“The USDA’s decision to open the floodgates to irradiated, imported fruits and vegetables makes it even more critical that consumers get as much information as possible about their food.  Consumers need mandatory coutry-of-origin labeling and accurate labeling of irradiated food. Both of these labeling programs are under attack, with Congress considering measures to weaken COOL and the Food and Drug Administration considering measures to allow irradiated food to be mislabeled as ‘pasteurized.’  In light of the USDA’s irresponsible decision to increase imports of irradiated food into the United States, consumers at least deserve to know where and how their food was produced.”

Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights organization that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources.