John Block Reports from Washington

It seems that whenever new technology is introduced, the critics come out of the woodwork. I guess it has always been that way. Hybrid seed corn was not accepted for years. Pasteurization of milk faced fierce opposition. And today, genetically modified food products are met with great suspicion in some countries. Yet all of these technologies have delivered and are delivering enormous benefits to mankind. Another example is irradiation of meat to kill dangerous, sometimes deadly, bacteria.

I was at a meeting with Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Administration Lester Crawford this week. He made the case for food irradiation. Every year 5,000 Americans die from food born diseases. USDA just initiated the largest recall of meat in our history. That recall costs millions of dollars and people die from bad meat. Of course if the customer will thoroughly cook the meat, fine. But they don't always do it. Unfortunately the public has not been quick to accept irradiation.

Just the sound of the word makes people worry about glowing in the dark. So call it "electron pasteurization" and use an electron beam to kill the bacteria. Pasteurization is well accepted today.

The process, of course, will add a small cost to the price of meat. But the shelf life of the meat is extended and lives will be saved. With such vital and powerful benefits, you have to wonder how anyone could oppose such technology. The World Health Organization gives irradiation a safe seal of approval. So does our own USDA and the Food and Drug Administration. Still you have Ralph Nadar's Public Voice sounding the alarm, trying to scare the consumer.

My prediction -- Ralph Nadar is wrong again. Good technology will carry the day, as it has in the past. Until next week, I am John Block... reporting from Washington.