Letter: Turkey, chicken industries similar

Monday, Nov. 29, 1999 | 8:34 a.m.

Many billions of chickens enter our foodstuffs annually (500 times more than the turkeys). Also, while turkey eggs are not eaten for breakfast, trillions of chicken eggs are consumed annually. There is a difference, however, between turkey and chicken, aside from size. Chicken and eggs have been approved by the USDA, FDA, and the public via an extensive comment period and hearings, to be irradiated by ionizing radiation so as to eliminate salmonella, campobacter and other pathogens.

If you like raw eggs on your Caesar salad and in your egg nog, irradiated chicken eggs are the sole alternative. Turkey meat or eggs do not have the USDA and FDA certifications from FSIS, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, to be irradiated and marketed. What's good for the chicken is good for the turkey.

ANN MCFEE

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