0103100 Irradiation Complaint Filed Against Omaha Steaks

Omaha, NE - A (self-styled) consumer “watchdog” group has claimed the nation's largest direct marketer of frozen foods hasn't told its customers that its ground beef products have been irradiated

Public Citizen filed the advertising complaint Thursday with the Federal Trade Commission against Omaha Steaks Inc.

“I'm very surprised that Omaha Steaks would put their good name at risk,” said Mark Worth, a senior researcher with Public Citizen.

Worth declined to say that irradiation is harmful to consumers, but claimed the only known technology to kill E. coli bacteria in raw meat can change the meat's vitamin and nutrient content and its flavor.

The accusations were vigorously denied by Omaha Steaks Senior Vice President Todd Simon, one of the company's family owners.

Public Citizen, founded by former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, claims neither the company's catalog nor its Web site plainly states meat has been treated. The complaint deals only with Omaha Steaks' ground beef products.

The issue is the consumer's right to know, Worth said.

Omaha Steaks announced in November it would irradiate its ground beef products and information is available on its Web site, Simon said.

Worth said he considers a New York Times article quoting Omaha Steaks marketing director, Vickie Hagen, as saying the company knows the word irradiation makes consumers “nervous” as admission the advertising is deceptive.

“Omaha Steaks has not engaged in any false advertising activity,” Simon said. “We're a family owned business and we think of our customers as family.”

He said Hagen's newspaper comments were taken out of context. Electronic pasteurization -- or irradiation -- improves safety, he said.

Simon said packages are properly labeled according to FTC guidelines and additional information is provided to any customers who want it.

If customers have concerns about irradiation, Simon said the company would offer them another product.

“We think any claims they're making about our advertising are groundless,” Simon said.

Public Citizen filed a similar complaint earlier this month against Huisken Meats of Chandler, Minn.

“I really think that the complaint is without merit,” Dave Gaiser, president of Huisken Meats, said. “The principle is about safety. That's the message.”

Besides eliminating E. coli, irradiation can significantly reduce levels of other pathogens, including listeria, salmonella and campylobacter.

The food isn't radioactive, and while there is a slight loss of nutrients, the food is largely unchanged, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

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