Positions & Resolutions

Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc.

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Administrative Positions & Resolutions

CRCPD RESOLUTION
[May 20, 1998]

Relating to: Relating to: Communicating factual radiation safety information relating to food irradiation.

WHEREAS: Problems have arisen within the U.S. from contaminated meat and seafood found to contain virulent forms of E.coli bacteria, and

WHEREAS: As many as 6.5 million cases of food-borne illness occur annually in this country, contributing to as many as 9,000 deaths, with an overall toll on society of $5 billion to $13 billion in medical costs and productivity losses, and

WHEREAS: The use of high energy ionizing radiation has been proven to be an effective method of destroying both bacterial agents and insect infestations in food, with no radiation risk to the consumer, and

WHEREAS: Foods preserved or treated with the prescribed dose of radiation do not become radioactive or toxic, and

WHEREAS: Organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations food and Agricultural Organization, having concluded that food pasteurized or sterilized with a prescribed dose of radiation is safe for human consumption, are urging the use of radiation to preserve food, and

WHEREAS: The public has a lack of understanding and a fear of the food irradiation process.

NOW, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, and its member states, be pro-active in the communication of factual information to the consumer and other interested parties relative to safety in the use of radiation to preserve food.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Conference of Radiation Program Directors establish a program and/or working group to develop guidance that can be used by state and local radiation control programs to properly inform the consumer on the safety of preserving food with radiation.

Approved by the CRCPD Membership May 20, 1998
Signed by Jill Lipoti, Chairperson, CRCPD