Irradiated = Pasteurized says FDA.

According to a recent AP article the FDA is once again considering relaxing the labeling of foods which have been irradiated. Under their new proposal some irradiated foods could just be labeled as pasteurized or even alternate terms, which could be petitioned for by manufacturers. Jeff Barach, vice president of the Grocery Manufacturers/Food Products Association, was quoted as saying “We have long argued that the use of the term irradiation or radiation has such a negative impact on the consumer that it basically acts as a warning label.” However:

The FDA acknowledges in the proposed rule that allowing alternative ways of describing irradiation could confuse consumers: “Research indicates that many consumers regard substitute terms for irradiation to be misleading,” the proposal reads in part.

Read the entire article here.