Stuart Chapman 202-225-2398
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Introduces Right to Know Student Nutrition Act
Bill Would Call for Labeling and Alternatives to
Irradiated Food for School Food Programs
However,USDA does not currently require labeling of irradiated foods in cafeterias or lunch rooms, nor do they require the continued availability of non-irradiated food to those parents and children who do not wish to consume irradiated food products.
Already, a number of school boards have indicated that they will not serve irradiated food to their students, including the Berkeley SchoolBoard. Other Northern California school districts banning irradiated products include Ukiah and Point Arena. Last week, the Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict also instituted a ban on the irradiation foods.
"For the safety of our children, we must provide lunchroom labeling for irradiated food, and we must provide kids with a healthy non-irradiated alternative, so that our children are aware of the possible dangers of eating certain foods and can make a choice to avoid them," said Lee.
"My bill would accomplish these objectives and preserve the safety of our children and the well-being of their parents. The school lunch program was begun to ensure the good health of our students. Now, this program could possibly sacrifice our students' health and nutrition. That's a dangerous policy."
A number of public interest groups, including Public Citizen, have begun a campaign to challenge these regulations, rallying parents and students across the country. Originally, Lee had scheduled a press conference to unveil the bill, but the imminent arrival of Hurricane Isabel forced the event to be postponed.
BARBARA LEE
Representing the
NINTH DISTRICT of CALIFORNIA
1301 Clay Street
Suite 1000 North
Oakland, CA 94612
Washington, D.C. Office
1724 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515*
Phone: (510) 763-0370
Fax: (510) 763-6538
Phone: (202) 225-2661
Fax: (202) 225-9817
