Irradiation label letter to FDA (pdf) Several Japanese consumer organizations, including Consumers Union of Japan, has written to the US Food and Drug Administration to oppose changes in the labelling requirement for irradiated foods. We are oppsed to the proposal to allow irradiated foods to be called “pasteurized” instead of “irradiated”. We write that these are two different processes and agree with consumers that have reacted to such change as “sneaky”, “deceptive” and “trying to fool us.” Don’t try to lure consumers!
100% BSE testing should be continued
We demand that BSE inspection should be continued in 2008 (pdf) CUJ demands that 100% BSE inspection should be continued in 2008. Read the letter to Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro, asking Tokyo to follow Yamagata, Miyazaki and Kyoto Prefecture, and support blanket testing of all cattle in Japan. We demand that 100% BSE inspection should be continued in 2008
OIE Rating: The BSE Risk In The US Remains High
CUJ OIE Comments (PDF) On May 20, 2007, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) classified the United States as a “Controlled Risk” country, together with Canada, Switzerland, Taiwan, Chile and Brazil. This rating was decided at the OIE general meeting based on each country’s BSE status. As a result of this OIE rating, exports of US beef will become unrestricted after Specified Risk Material (SRM) is removed, even for beef from older US cattle. We are concerned that this will lead to a US demand for the easing of the beef export agreement with Japan’s government. Consumers Union of Japan is opposed to the latest result from the OIE…
Australia-Japan FTA: A Bad Deal Should Be Stopped
Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement- A bad deal should be stopped Joint Statement from Australian and Japanese people We, the undersigned people and organisations, believe that the Australia Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will not bring real benefits to the people of Australia and Japan. Given that Australia and Japan already have a strong trading relationship; the predicted economic benefits are unlikely; and that social and environmental costs have not been considered, we believe that the negotiations of this FTA should not take place. Instead, we believe there is a need to rethink multi lateral trade rules and develop a global trading system based on real development, fairness, democracy, and sustainability.…
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): the more you know the healthier you are!
Consumers Korea organized the international conference about environmental hormones or EDCs in Seoul, South Korea on 22 November, 2006. The conference was supported by KFDA National Institute of Toxicological Research and some 100 people participated. Martin J. Frid was invited to represent Consumers Union of Japan, together with Dr. Michael Hansen from Consumers Union (US) and Sarojeni Rengam from Pesticide Action Network. Read the entire article in Japan Resources No. 139