4 Food Irradiation Watch campaign Fourteen submitters provided a copy of a campaign letter produced by Food Irradiation Watch. Comments from the Food Irradiation Watch letter have been allocated against questions provided in the consultation paper as shown. Question in Consultation Paper Comment in the Food Irradiation campaign letter What information (for example, studies, data or consumer As the changes made to food by irradiation cannot be discerned with our ordinary senses, feedback) can you provide on consumer awareness, understanding labelling is the only means to differentiate between irradiated and non-irradiated products. and behaviour, in response to labelling about food irradiation? The demand for irradiated products should be driven by consumers making informed and intentional decisions to purchase such products not by being tricked in to buying them. – Do you purchase, or would you consider purchasing, irradiated I choose to not eat irradiated food. food? If yes, then why? If no, then why not? What are your views about the wording of the statement not being Rather than being removed, labelling should be improved to prescribe clear and accurate prescribed? statements such as: with irradiation.” “Irradiated – “or “Treated Do you think the current labelling requirement for all foods I am disappointed that FSANZ is considering removing labelling from food that has been permitted to be irradiated should be removed? If yes, then why? If irradiated when it is clear that public and world standards demand that it be labelled. no, then why not? With Australia and New Zealand increasing the amount of irradiated foods available on the market and in people’s diets, the push to remove mandatory labelling and signage requirements is unacceptable - and must be stopped. If labelling was to continue for irradiated whole foods, do you think: Irradiators who are confident that their products are wholesome, healthy and desirable Restaurant meals containing irradiated ingredients should still should be proud to label their products irradiated and let the market play out be labelled? Irradiated ingredients used in packaged food should still be labelled?
4 Food Irradiation Watch campaign Fourteen submitters provided a copy of a campaign letter produced by Food Irradiation Watch. Comments from the Food Irradiation Watch letter have been allocated against questions provided in the consultation paper as shown. Question in Consultation Paper Comment in the Food Irradiation campaign letter What information (for example, studies, data or consumer feedback) can you provide on consumer awareness, understanding and behaviour, in response to labelling about food irradiation? As the changes made to food by irradiation cannot be discerned with our ordinary senses, labelling is the only means to differentiate between irradiated and non-irradiated products. The demand for irradiated products should be driven by consumers making informed and intentional decisions to purchase such products – not by being tricked in to buying them. Do you purchase, or would you consider purchasing, irradiated food? If yes, then why? If no, then why not? I choose to not eat irradiated food. What are your views about the wording of the statement not being prescribed? Rather than being removed, labelling should be improved to prescribe clear and accurate statements such as: “Irradiated – “or “Treated with irradiation.” Do you think the current labelling requirement for all foods permitted to be irradiated should be removed? If yes, then why? If no, then why not? I am disappointed that FSANZ is considering removing labelling from food that has been irradiated when it is clear that public and world standards demand that it be labelled. With Australia and New Zealand increasing the amount of irradiated foods available on the market and in people’s diets, the push to remove mandatory labelling and signage requirements is unacceptable - and must be stopped. If labelling was to continue for irradiated whole foods, do you think: Restaurant meals containing irradiated ingredients should still be labelled? Irradiated ingredients used in packaged food should still be labelled? Irradiators who are confident that their products are wholesome, healthy and desirable should be proud to label their products irradiated and let the market play out