Market studies have shown that many consumers are afraid that eating irradiated foods
may cause cancer, despite scientific studies that prove the safety of treated foods. Other
naysayers argue that more stringent govemment inspection, higher food-safety standards, and
more careful food-preparation practices by consumers are all that is needed to ensure that food
is safe. Consequently, companies currently see no need to spend millions of dollars supplying
processing plants with equipment necessary for a process that few shoppers are in favor of.