Australian government approves nuclear irradiation of tomatoes

Submitted by kim.stewart on Wed 20 Mar 2013 11:34am

http://brisbane.foe.org.au/content/australian-government-approves-nuclear-irradiation-tomatoes

The irradiation of tomatoes & capsicums (bell peppers) has been approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today.

In Australia, all irradiation is done with nuclear material.

Now, A1069 (the application for the irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums) only requires rubber-stamping from the Ministerial Council. Each state has at least one STATE MP on the Council. Let your local member know that you say NO!!!

Media: Robin Taubenfeld 0411118737

Ministerial contact details and a sample letter is below:

RE: APPROVAL OF IRRADIATION OF TOMATOES & CAPSICUMS (A1069)

Dear Member of the Australia New Zealand Food Ministerial Council,

On March 19, Food Standards Australia New Zealand announced its approval of Application A1069, for the irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums.

As a member of the Ministerial Council you have final decision making power over this approval. I call on you to reject this application as the irradiation of these popular foods is not in the public interest.

The irradiation of food has not been proven safe. I am extremely concerned that FSANZ continues to ignore scientific evidence highlighting the problems with irradiation, including vitamin depletion and the production of radiolytic products – chemicals formed in food when it is exposed to radiation, such as benzene, formaldehyde and cyclobutanones.

In 2009, the irradiation of cat food was outlawed in Australia after up to 100 cats developed neurological disorders after consuming irradiated cat food. There is no science proving this effect to be species specific, however, the irradiation of food for human consumption is still permitted in Australia and New Zealand.

Furthermore, while I applaud the government for its decision to phase out the uses of some pesticides, I vehemently oppose the promotion of irradiation as the “alternative”. Numerous alternatives exist, including other chemical treatments, physical disinfestation, creation of pest-free zones and organic production.

I also am alarmed that FSANZ appears to function as a defacto promoter of irradiation, rather than a judicious adjudicator on the matter. FSANZ continues to ignore scientific modelling and consumer information that challenges its pro-irradiation stance.

As a member of the Ministerial Council, you have responsibility to ensure safe and healthy food for our community and to prioritise that over food corporation interests.

The irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums poses a risk to our community and is not in the public interest. A1069 must be rejected.

I look forward to hearing your response to my concerns,

Yours faithfully,
Name

Australian Government:

Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

Minister for Health and Ageing

150 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008 Minister.Plibersek@health.gov.au

The Hon Catherine King, MP

Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing

PO Box 6022, House of Representatives

Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au

Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

GPO Box 2477, Brisbane QLD 4001 joe.ludwig@maff.gov.au

New Zealand:

The Hon Nikki Kaye. MP,Minister for Food Safety

P.O. Box 47-658,Ponsonby

Auckland 1144 New Zealand

mp.aucklandcentral@parliament.govt.nz

Australian State & Territory Reps

QLD

Lead Minister: The Hon Lawrence Springborg, MP

Minister for Health

GPO Box 48, Brisbane QLD 4001

Health@ministerial.qld.gov.au

The Hon John McVeigh MP

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

GPO Box 46, Brisbane QLD 4001

Agriculture@ministerial.qld.gov.au

NSW

Lead Minister: Ms Katrina Hodgkinson, MP

Minister for Primary Industries

Level 30 Governor Macquarie Tower

1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 office@hodgkinson.minister.nsw.gov.au

Mrs Jillian Skinner, MP, Minister for Health

Level 31 Governor Macquarie Tower

1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000

office@skinner.minister.nsw.gov.au

The Hon David Tollner, MLA, Minister for Health

GPO Box 3146 Darwin NT 0801

Email: Minister.tollner@nt.gov.au

VIC

Lead Minister: The Hon David Davis, MLC

Minister for Health

Shop 4, 976 Riversdale Rd., Surrey Hills VIC 3127

david.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au

The Hon Peter Walsh, MP

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security

Level 20,1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Lead Minister: The Hon Dr Kim Hames, MB BS JP MLA, Minister for Health

PO Box 5551 Falcon WA 6210

kim.hames@mp.wa.gov.au

The Hon Terry Redman, MLA

Minister for Agriculture and Food

11th Floor, Dumas House

2 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005

Minister.Redman@dpc.wa.gov.au

TAS

Lead Minister: The Hon Michelle O’Byrne, MP

Minister for Health

GPO Box 1470, Hobart TAS 7000

Michelle.O’Byrne@parliament.tas.gov.au

ACT

Ms Katy Gallagher, MLA

Minister for Health

GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601

gallagher@act.gov.au

Lead Minister: The Hon Jack Snelling, MP

Minister for Health and Ageing

GPO Box 2555 Adelaide SA 5001

Email: Minister.health@health.sa.gov.au

The Hon Gail Gago, MLC

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries

GPO Box 464 Adelaide SA 5001

Email: minister.gago@sa.gov.au

Australian Local Government Association:

Councillor Bill McArthur

Golden Plains Shire

President of the Municipal Association of Victoria

PO Box 111,Bannockburn VIC 3331

March 20, 2013 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized

2 Comments »

This is nonsense – the tomatoes and capsicums are going to be exposed such low doses of radiation that you would not be able to tell the difference between irradiated and non-irradiated ones. Look at the science and make up your own mind. If you dont like them dont buy them.

Comment by Fergal | May 22, 2013 | Reply
- If you dont like them dont buy them.
  
  only if they are marked as irradiated or you dont get the choice! imo
  why wncourage more nuclear waste also.. Australia has enough of it and the UK has enough of reprocessing ref European report on UK air quality.. NO2 is one of the by products of these processes as is Radon (NORM) and something is killing unborn children imo
  
  but statutory labeling would do if the IAEA needs to find outlets for its goods!
  
  Comment by arclight2011 | May 22, 2013 | Reply