Sept. 12, 2002 Action Alert: Tell Lowes Not to Sell Irradiated Meat Lowes Food Stores (North Carolina, Virginia) is planning to sell irradiated meat. Lowes boasts that they are passionate about the quality and freshness of the products they sell, and their motto is "Good for You." Tell Lowes that irradiation masks poor quality meat and dirty slaughterhouses. Tell them you won't buy irradiated meats or any irradiated products. Stop in a store and tell the manager. Call the corporate office at (800) 311-2117. Send an email to Lowes customer service. Send a sample letter (below). Sample letter: Date: Customer Service Lowes Foods P.O. Box 24908 Winston-Salem, NC 27114 fax (336) 768-4702 To whom it may concern: As a customer of Lowes, I am surprised that Lowes is planning to sell irradiated meat. Irradiation masks contamination by E. coli and other bacteria, it doesn't get rid of all of them. In fact, irradiation encourages slaughterhouses to cut corners on sanitation. In addition, irradiated food isn't "Good for You." Irradiation disrupts the chemical composition of many chemicals and molecules in its path - not just harmful bacteria. Hundreds of new chemicals are formed by irradiation, including chemicals known and suspected to cause cancer and birth defects. One irradiation by-product, called 2-DCB, which has never been found to occur naturally in any food, was recently found to promote cancer development in rats, and cause genetic damage in human cells. I am disappointed that Lowes is compromising its "passion for quality and freshness" by adopting a technology that provides fake-fresh, nutrient-depleted food. I won't be buying any meat at Lowes from now on. Sincerely, Name and address