back to Organic Consumers Assn. Food Irradiation page

September 1, 2000

Tell Hy-Vee Food Stores:

Don't Sell Irradiated Meat!

Three of the five Lincoln, Nebraska, Hy-Vee stores have announced they will sell irradiated frozen hamburger patties supplied by Huisken Meats of Chandler, Minnesota. Employee-owned Hy-Vee operates 200 stores in seven Midwestern states.

If you live near any of these stores, seek out the store manager and express your opposition to the sale of irradiated meat in his/her store. Or phone Customer Service at 1-800-289-8343 or write a letter to company headquarters.

Tell them that the local Super Saver Stores have stopped selling patties because of consumer opposition!

---

Sample Letter

Date:

Ron Pearson, President
Hy-Vee Inc.
5820 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dear Mr. Pearson:

I have recently learned that Hy-Vee is selling ground beef that has been treated with radiation. Notwithstanding recent government approval to allows the use of this technology, I have the following concerns:

- There have been no long-term human studies to prove that food exposed to radiation is safe for human consumption. Dozens of studies involving laboratory animals have revealed numerous health problems, including premature death, cancer, reproductive and immune dysfunction, liver and kidney damage, and low birth weight.

- Carcinogenic chemicals, including formaldehyde and benzene, can be formed in irradiated meat;

- Irradiation-created free radicals can make humans more susceptible to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and muscle degeneration;

- Irradiation can reduce food's vitamin and enzyme content;

- Irradiation masks fecal matter, disease, and other defects in meat products.

The government was premature in legalizing the use of irradiation on the foods we eat. The required label does not adequately inform customers. Electron-beam and nuclear irradiation have the same damaging effect on the food. I urge you to refrain from selling irradiated food products until thorough research has been conducted on this technology. I know I will not purchase any irradiated meat.

Sincerely,

Your name and address