Dear Supporter,

I hope this message finds you doing well and thanks for signing the first (Change) petition to help protect our food from radioactive cesium-137. 

As we learned with the recent 35 state radioactive shrimp recalls, the problem of cesium-137 in food goes beyond Fukushima. In this case of the shrimp recalls, it was Indonesia and a metal recycling facility. Next, radioactive cloves were discovered in a shipment at US Customs that originated 400 miles away from the shrimp. It all strongly underscores the importance of tightening safety regulations, as detailed in a 2013 Citizen Petition to FDA which is still accepting comments (see link at the end of this message).

Shrimp and spice recalls are just the beginning in the fight to protect consumers from radioactive contamination. 

Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network (FFAN) is the leading voice raising this issue. Last year, we organized a far-reaching Congressional briefing with top experts. This year, we wrote twice directly to Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy and sent detailed information to HHS and FDA on cesium-137, and were covered in the media.  We renewed our demands that:

1.  FDA respond to our 2013 Citizen Petition filed by Jim Turner, original Nader Raider and author of "The Chemical Feast".

2.  FDA protect and inform US consumers by issuing far stricter standards and labeling.

The FDA finally responded to our petition. And, we think not coincidentally, with those shipments of shrimp from Indonesia. FDA took the highly unusual step of issuing a series of warnings and a Class II alert that prompted recalls of shrimp from major grocery chains across the US.

That was a win, but unfortunately, it's also just the tip of the iceberg. Radioactive contamination isn't limited to shrimp; it's a systemic problem requiring a systemic solution. More revelations are no doubt coming, and we need to be ready.

Cesium-137 is proven to bioaccumulate in seafood and in humans, though FDA continues to say -- misleadingly -- that it "readily excretes” from the body and doesn't "accumulate" in seafood.  The fact is, it most definitely does bioaccumulate in seafood and exposure -- from ingestion through excretion -- can lead to cancer, angina, hypertension, hormone imbalances, diabetes, and other serious illnesses. 

Knowledge is spreading in the mainstream. In August, September, and again on October 21st "Martha Stewart Living" reported that exposure through ingestion allows the radioactive material to be distributed in soft tissues, especially (heart) muscle, potentially increasing cancer risk according to the CDC. 

Consumer Reports and the Associated Press were among many others who reported on the recalls, but the media often relies on FDA statements that cesium-137 “readily excretes” (as though it’s harmless), and that it doesn’t bioaccumulate in fish. Both statements are misleading. Thankfully, "Martha Stewart Living" got it right when they quoted the CDC.

Tuesday December 2nd is Giving Tuesday, the annual event that offers wonderful people like you the chance to support causes close to the heart. FFAN is working hard to correct the record, counter the spin, and educate lawmakers, the media and the public about the need to dramatically lower the current allowable levels of radioactivity in food. We're one of the very few organizations demanding this, and the only one focused like a laser on getting it to happen.

You'll receive another email next week asking for your support on Giving Tuesday with a donation of any amount. 

For now, please comment to the FDA petition. (Just a heads up that there's a systemwide glitch with commenting but it's easy to get around. I've talked to the staff in charge of monitoring FDA petitions and they confirmed that the petition IS still accepting comments. However, navigating around the petition before commenting sets off an erroneous notification that the petition is closed. To get around it read what you like, log out, then go back on and hit the rectangular "comment" button upper left of screen.)  Let FDA know that you want them to take official action on the petition now. Even if you've already commented a while ago, please do again, as the situation has grown worse.

Make no mistake, the petition is getting the attention of lawmakers and it’s very important that they have new comments to read.

If you haven't signed the MoveOn "companion" petition to FDA, you can do that here.

Take care, and thanks!

Kim 

Kimberly Roberson, Project Director

Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network