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Do you know what this symbol means?

Do you know this symbol? If you saw this symbol on a food item – pet or people food – what would you think it to mean? Please post a comment of what you first thought was to its meaning. This is an experiment to see how many people know this International Symbol.

With the recent deaths of cats in Australia suspect to be caused by the irradiation of cat food, do you ever wonder if your pet’s food (or your food) is irradiated? Consumers can look for the RADURA logo on the label to know if a food has been treated with radiation.

The RADURA logo; such an innocent sweet looking symbol. Most would never guess this innocent looking flower on a food label would mean the food was treated with radiation. According to Wikipedia, the RADURA logo originally came from the former Pilot Plant for Food Irradiation in the Netherlands. The word RADURA is derived from radurization, in itself an artificial word combining the initial letters of the word "radiation" with the stem of "durus", the Latin word for hard, lasting. Today it is considered the international symbol indicating a food product has been irradiated. It is usually green; with dashed lines at the top, a plant in the circle.

Opponents to food irradiation feel the RADURA logo is ‘too positive’; the FDA disagrees. In a 1992 New York Times article, Dr. Ronald Engel of the FDA stated “It was meant to be kind of like a smiley face, so people would recognize irradiated food and want it.”

While the FDA firmly endorses the use of irradiation and the smiley face RADURA logo, Europe does not. “The European Community does not provide for the use of the RADURA logo and relies exclusively on labeling by the appropriate phrases in the respective languages of the Member States. Furthermore, irradiated ingredients have to be labeled even down to the last molecule contained in the final product; it is also required that restaurant food is labeled according to the same rule.” No information of irradiated foods in restaurants is provided to consumers in the United States.

Controversy continues to surround food irradiation; many experts believe the irradiation alters chemical compounds within the foods, which in turn could lead to an adverse reaction such as with the sick cats in Australia. The smiley face RADURA logo doesn’t seem to give the controversy justice.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

P.S.  Don't forget to post your comment of what you thought the RADURA symbol meant!  Thanks.

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Comments (26)

Marg
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:09 pm
I thought the flower meant it was a good thing.
Reply to this Comment
Terry
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:10 pm
The symbol looks like it is promoting something "Organic". Now that I know it means food is treated with Radiation, I will watch for and avoid it at all cost in both my food and my dog's food and treats.
Reply to this Comment
Mike
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:20 pm
I too thought it was a peaceful looking organic logo. But I guess the Sun is indicating the radiation part.
Reply to this Comment
KathleenM CA
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:20 pm
First impression: it was designating the item to be safe. That logo, pink for soft and non-threatening, two leaves, what's to fear from a plant?
Geez-these folks are con-artists! How 'bout a skull & crossbones, that'd be more accurate.
Reply to this Comment
Jerry
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:30 pm
I must admit that I already know what it meant. However I think it is very important that it be posted and explained on as many sits as possible so people can be made aware and avoid anything with this label.
Thanks Susan
Reply to this Comment
Mary
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:43 pm
I too thought the symbol to be an organic-type symbol.
Reply to this Comment
Carol
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 04:53 pm
I have never seen this logo before. I will watch for it in the future! It does look quite innocent and friendly.
Reply to this Comment
peggy visco
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 05:03 pm
i appreciate the information about the symbol. at first glance it looks like a label on a food that would be considered a natural food that would be free of artificial colors and preservatives. the best defense is an educated consumer. thank you for all of your helpful information.
Reply to this Comment
JanC
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 05:16 pm
My first thought was that the food contained plants or flowers of some sort.......or even something natural or organic.

Irradiated food would have been my last choice. I have little doubt it was meant to look like it contained something natural. Yeah, right.

Anything to confuse the consumer.

Many thanks for letting us in on what this cutesy little symbol represents. Skull & crossbones, anyone?
Reply to this Comment
LILIAN OMAR
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 05:24 pm
The symbol looks like the product could be environmentally friendly, organic or approved by some organization. The color is especially misleading. I would definitely assume it means something good.
Reply to this Comment
Rebecca
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 06:16 pm
I had already been introduced to this symbol by Mike Adams, The Health Ranger. Thanks for spreading the word, Susan. If we all spread the word, hopefully the general public will learn about it and boycott these "foods". We do, after all, vote with our wallets.
Reply to this Comment
Mal
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 06:30 pm
I have recently become educated to what this symbol means. However my initial reaction was that it was a natural, healthy product. It is time that the people are kept informed as to what the government and advertising execs of the big companies are trying to pull over on us "dumb" consumers. Thanks for spreading the word!
Reply to this Comment
Alice Gines
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 07:07 pm
I have to admitt my first thought was organic. Now that I know what it is I will also be on the look out for it and tell my friends and family.
Reply to this Comment
Brian Carrozza
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 07:08 pm
I, too, thought it had something to do with food being certified organic, not food that has been irradiated.

Any symbol that has anything to do with radiation should be colored the same yellow and black as the radiation warning symbol, not cutesy pink and white like a breast cancer ribbon.
Reply to this Comment
Matt
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 08:58 pm
I dont think I've ever seen that symbol before.
My first thought was that it meant "Earth Friendly".

Obviously, symbols dont mean a thing, unless those responsible for posting them do the work that matches and thus verifies, the symbol's claims.
Reply to this Comment
andrey
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 09:15 pm
maybe something natural or organic
Reply to this Comment
John
Said this on 12-12-2008 At 09:46 pm
I have been educated. I did not know what was being symbolized. There is nothing more destructive than radiation. I'll be watching and avoiding that symbol now.
Reply to this Comment
jamsr
Said this on 12-13-2008 At 08:24 am
i think this article leaves a lot to think about, I have never seen this logo buy first impression was danger to humans more people should be made aware opf this damngher
Reply to this Comment
Renee
Said this on 12-13-2008 At 09:03 am
I thought it meant organic also-wow, was I off! I will watch for it in the future and avoid any products carrying it.
Reply to this Comment
souxsie
Said this on 12-13-2008 At 04:28 pm
I saw it as a symbol for either Natural & Organic or that a plant based 'good' oil had been added to the food. I am shocked that such an innocent looking symbol is for radiation! I could think of a better/clearer one for that.....Skull & Crossbones, as someone has
already suggested.
Reply to this Comment
JannLS
Said this on 12-14-2008 At 01:15 am
I, too, thought it a symbol for organic food. This cannot be anything other than purposefully misleading! Shame (yet AGAIN) on the FDA!
Reply to this Comment
Allison Schleef
Said this on 12-14-2008 At 04:35 pm
My first impression was of a symbol that was "good / organic". I agree with every one else - they shouldnt use an innocent looking symbol for such a dangerous practice. Just goes to prove - you cant trust the Governing Bodies in our world.
Reply to this Comment
Ann Scott
Said this on 12-15-2008 At 12:14 pm
I have never seen the symbol on packaging but if I had I would have thought it meant healthy and environmentally friendly. I will be on the lookout in the future.
Reply to this Comment
Joeblow
Said this on 12-21-2008 At 08:52 pm
Add a vote to the organic thought. F'ing scary I might add. Enough of this visual propaganda and out with life-desecrating food treatment. Why the hell do we need that?
Reply to this Comment
anonymous
Said this on 1-7-2009 At 03:43 pm
Yep, count me in too, looks like it is promoting something new, harmless and possibly organic. Wake up FDA!! GGrrr!
Reply to this Comment
bee
Said this on 1-12-2009 At 09:51 pm
I knew what it was from the articles from the health ranger. If I hadn't known this I would have thought it was a plant or something good. It is good more people are being educated.
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