Legal provisions of COM(2015)665 - Food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2014 - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
dossier | COM(2015)665 - Food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2014. |
---|---|
document | COM(2015)665 ![]() |
date | December 17, 2015 |
Brussels, 17.12.2015
COM(2015) 665 final
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL
ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2014
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL
ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2014
1. Introduction
The current report, provided for by Article 7(4) of Directive 1999/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation 1 , covers the period from 1st January to 31 December 2014. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the European Commission by 27 Member States and one EFTA country. Croatia did not submit data for 2014.
2. Legal basis and background
Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, requires Member States to forward to the Commission every year:
– the results of checks carried out in the ionising radiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of food and food ingredients treated and the doses administered,
and
– the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect treatment with ionising radiation.
Article 7(4) of the Directive requires the Commission to publish in the Official Journal of the European Union:
– the details of the approved irradiation facilities in the Member States, as well as any changes in their status;
– a report on the information provided every year by the national supervisory authorities.
Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers 2 .
2.1.Irradiation facilities
Food and food ingredients may be irradiated only in approved irradiation facilities. For facilities in the EU, approval is given by the competent authorities of the Member States. Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC requires Member States to inform the Commission on the list of their approved irradiation facilities.
Irradiation of food and food ingredients may only be carried out by means of the following sources, listed in Annex II to the Directive:
– Gamma rays from radionuclides 60Co or 137Cs;
– X-rays generated from machine sources operated at or below a nominal energy (maximum quantum energy) level of 5 MeV;
– Electrons generated from machine sources operated at or below a nominal energy (maximum quantum energy) level of 10 MeV.
The list of approved irradiation facilities in Member States is publicly available, as it was published by the Commission 3 .
2.2.Irradiated food and food ingredients
The irradiation of dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings is authorised at EU level by Directive 1999/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a Community list of food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation 4 . In addition, seven Member States have notified to the Commission that they maintain national authorisations for certain food and food ingredients, in accordance with Article 4(4) of Directive 1999/2/EC. The list of national authorisations has been published by the Commission 5 .
Any irradiated foodstuff containing one or more irradiated food ingredient must be labelled with the words “irradiated” or “treated with ionising radiation”. If an irradiated product is used as an ingredient in a compound food, the same words shall accompany its designation in the list of ingredients. In the case of products sold in bulk, these words shall appear together with the name of the product on a display or notice above or beside the container in which the products are placed.
To enforce correct labelling or to detect non-authorised products, several analytical methods have been standardised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), following a mandate given by the Commission.
3. Results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities and doses administered
This section of the report deals with the results of the checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular, regarding categories and quantities of products treated and doses administered. According to the information submitted by the Member States, the controls carried out by the competent authorities confirmed the compliance of the approved irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.
The following tables and figures show the results of checks carried out in the approved irradiation facilities in Europe in 2014, in particular concerning the categories and quantities of food and food ingredients treated and the doses administered.
3.1.Summary for the EU
The following table summarises the quantities of foodstuffs (in tonnes) treated by ionising radiation in the approved irradiation facilities located in 13 Member States within the European Union:
Member State | Number of approved facilities | Treated quantity (tonnes) |
Belgium | 1 | 3289.6 |
Bulgaria | 2 | No food irradiated |
Czech Republic | 1 | 20.1 |
Germany | 4 | 97.3 |
Estonia | 1 | 33.7 |
Spain | 3* | 233.1 |
France | 5 | 463.3 |
Italy | 1 | No food irradiated |
Hungary | 1 | 70.0 |
Netherlands | 2 | 1308.2 |
Poland | 2* | 55.0 |
Romania | 1 | No food irradiated |
United Kingdom | 1 | No food irradiated |
Total EU-MS: | 25 | 5543.3 |
Norway | 1 | 7.6 |
Total: | 26 | 5550.9 |
* Food was irradiated only in one approved irradiation facility.
There are 25 approved irradiation facilities within the European Union located in 13 Member States. Only 8 out of 13 Member States irradiated foodstuffs in 2014.
The following histogram summarises the quantities of foodstuffs (in tonnes) and the category of products treated by ionising radiation in approved irradiation facilities within the European Union in 2014:
There are no approved facilities in the following Member States: Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Portugal. No information is available to date regarding the situation in Croatia and in Malta.
The following tables show the categories of products irradiated in the Member States concerned and the doses administered.
3.2.Belgium
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Dehydrated blood, plasma, coagulates | 4.9 - 6.4 |
Frozen frog legs | 3.9 - 4.8 |
Offal of poultry | 3.5 - 4.8 |
3.3.Czech Republic
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 4.04 - 9.95 |
3.4.Germany
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 10 |
3.5.Estonia
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 10 |
3.6.Spain
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 8.98 - 10 |
3.7.France
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5-10 |
Frozen frog legs | 1-10 |
3.8.Hungary
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 2 - 8 |
3.9.Netherlands
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 4-8 |
Chicken meat | 5 |
Dried vegetables and fruits | 2-8 |
Frozen frog legs | 4 |
Shrimps | 3 |
3.10.Poland
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5 - 10 |
3.11.Norway
Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 10 |
4. Results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and methods used to detect irradiated foods
The following tables show the results of the checks carried out at the product marketing stage in Europe and the methods used to detect treatment with ionising radiation.
4.1.Summary for the EU
The following table summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained for the European Union:
Member State | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-compliant | Total samples | % Versus EU total samples |
BE | 92 | 15 | 2 | 109 | 1,9% |
BG | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0,1% |
CZ | 20 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 0,5% |
DK | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP |
DE | 3179 | 13 | 22 | 3214 | 55,6% |
EE | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP |
IE | 80 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 1,4% |
EL | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP |
ES | 204 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 3,5% |
FR | 174 | 0 | 4 | 178 | 3,1% |
HR | NDS | NDS | NDS | NDS | 0% |
IT | 533 | 10 | 9 | 552 | 9,6% |
CY | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP |
LV | 12 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0,2% |
LT | 59 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 1,0% |
LU | 8 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0,2% |
HU | 125 | 0 | 3 | 128 | 2,2% |
MT | 22 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 0,5% |
NL | 88 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 1,5% |
AT | 64 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 1,1% |
PL | 372 | 2 | 3 | 377 | 6,5% |
PT | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0,2% |
RO | 240 | 1 | 2 | 243 | 4,2% |
SI | 17 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0,3% |
SK | 24 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0,4% |
FI | 273 | 6 | 10 | 289 | 5,0% |
SE | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP |
UK | 45 | 1 | 4 | 50 | 0,9% |
Total EU | 5646 | 59 | 73 | 5779 | 100% |
97,7% | 1,0% | 1,3% | 100,0% |
NDS: No data submitted; NCP: No check performed
The following histogram summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained per EU Member State:
4.2.Belgium. Number of Samples: 109
Number of Samples: 109 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Fruit (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 3 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 26 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Herbs and spices | Herbs and spices (frozen) | 14 | 6 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Tea | 21 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 11 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Other | Food supplements | 9 | 4 | 2* | EN 1788 |
Total: | 92 | 15 | 2 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 84,4% | 13,8% | 1,8% |
* irradiation not allowed
4.3.Bulgaria. Number of Samples: 4
Number of Samples: 4 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Tea | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Total: | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
4.4.Czech Republic. Number of Samples: 30
Number of Samples: 30 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 3 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Herbal teas / Infusions | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Other | Food supplements | 5 | 1 | 2* | EN 1788 |
Soup | 4 | 3 | 3** | EN 1788 | |
Total: | 20 | 5 | 5 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 66,7% | 16,7% | 16,7% |
* Both samples were identified as being positive for irradiation. The irradiated products were not labelled. In one case the indication of treatment was not given on the documents accompanying or referring to irradiated foodstuffs so it was not clear whether the products were irradiated in facility approved by the EU or not. In the second case the foodstuffs were irradiated in facility not approved by the EU.
**The samples were identified as being positive for irradiation. The irradiated products were not labelled. The indication of treatment was not given on the documents accompanying or referring to irradiated foodstuffs so it was not clear whether the products were irradiated in facility approved by the EU.
4.5.Denmark
No checks were carried out at product marketing stage in 2014.
4.6.Germany. Number of Samples: 3214
Number of Samples: 3214 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Cereal products | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1787 |
Fruit (dried) | 98 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708; EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Fruits (fresh) | 59 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Mushrooms (fresh) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 155 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1785; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Potatoes | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Pulses | 187 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 42 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Vegetables (fresh) | 28 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 197 | 0 | 1* | EN 1786; EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 |
Fish and fish products | 43 | 0 | 4* | EN 1786; EN 1788 | |
Fish and seafood (dried) | 16 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786; EN 1788 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 1228 | 3 | 2** | EN 1788; EN 1785; EN 1787; EN 13751 |
Other (condiments) | 229 | 2 | 1** | EN 1788; EN 1785; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Tea | 182 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1785; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Meat and meat products | Meat (except poultry and game) | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
Meat (from different birds, kangaroo, hare) | 119 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Meat products (except sausages) | 40 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Other | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Sausage products | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Milk and milk products | Butter (with herbs) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Cheese (containing spices/herbs) | 48 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 1787 | |
Cheese (preparations without herbs and spices) | 27 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Milk and milk products | 15 | 0 | 2* | EN 1787 | |
Other | Food supplements | 139 | 2 | 7* | EN 1786; EN 13751 |
Meals and dishes (prepared) | 31 | 0 | 2* | EN 1786; EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Other | 21 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1788; EN 1787; EN 13751 | |
Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 204 | 6 | 3* | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Total: | 3179 | 13 | 22 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 98,9% | 0,4% | 0,7% |
* irradiation not allowed
**erroneously labelled
4.7.Estonia
Due to budgetary restrictions, no checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Estonia in 2014.
4.8.Ireland: Number of Samples: 81
Number of Samples: 81 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Berries | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Cereals, seed, vegetables and fruit | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Fruit (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Seeds | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Tea | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Other | Food for particular nutritional uses | 6 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Food supplements | 32 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Total: | 80 | 0 | 1 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 98,8% | 0,0% | 1,2% |
* erroneously labelled
4.9.Greece
No checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Greece in 2014 as there were no findings of non compliant products from previous controls. A control program of 10 samples (herbs and spices) has been planned for 2015.
4.10.Spain. Number of Samples: 204
Number of Samples: 204 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Fruit (dried) | 18 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 |
Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Nuts | 11 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 | |
Oil seeds | 15 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 14 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 20 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
Fish and fish products | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 39 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Herbal teas / Infusions | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Herbs and spices (fresh) | 52 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
Meat and meat products | Poultry meat | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
Total: | 204 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100,0% | 0,0% | 0,0% |
4.11.France. Number of Samples: 178
Number of Samples: 178 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Cereals, seed, vegetables and fruit | 46 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 |
Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
Fish and fish products | 1 | 0 | 2* | EN 1786 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 45 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
Meat and meat products | 46 | 0 | 2** | EN 1784 | |
Total: | 174 | 0 | 4 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 97,8% | 0,0% | 2,2% |
* irradiation not allowed
** erroneously labelled
4.12.Italy. Number of Samples: 552
Number of Samples: 552 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Dried spices | 119 | 6 | 0 | EN 13708 EN 13784 EN 1788 EN 13783 EN 1787 EN 13751 |
Dried tomatoes | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Fruit (dried) | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 EN 1788 EN 1787 | |
Fruits (fresh) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 EN 13751 | |
Garlic | 14 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 16 | 0 | 2* | EN 13708 EN 13784 EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
Nuts | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
Oil seeds | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
Onions | 11 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13783 EN 13751 | |
Other (crystallized ginger, tomato paste, sweet potato powder, hazelnut flour) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1788 | |
Potatoes | 18 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Pulses | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Rice | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Seeds | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Shallots | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Tea | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13783 EN 1787 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Bivalve molluscs (unspecified) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Cephalopods (unspecified) | 8 | 1 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1786 EN 1788 | |
Clams | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
crabs | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Crayfish | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Crustaceans | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1785 EN 13751 | |
Fish and fish products | 33 | 1 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1786 EN 1785 EN 13751 | |
Mussels | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1786 EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Octopuses | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Other | 12 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Prawns | 11 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Scallops | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Shrimps | 21 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1785 EN 13751 | |
Squids | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 11 | 0 | 4*** | EN 13784 EN 1786 EN 1785 |
Meat and meat products | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1786 | |
Meat (except poultry and game) | 49 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1786 EN 1785 | |
Meat, offal, meat products | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1785 | |
Poultry meat | 44 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1786 EN 1785 | |
Other | Food additive | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Food supplements | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Raw material of plant origin, intended for use as an ingredient in food supplement | 34 | 2 | 3** | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
sauces (prepared) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Total: | 533 | 10 | 9 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 96,6% | 1,8% | 1,6% |
* erroneously labelled
**erroneously labelled and/or irradiation not allowed
***erroneously labelled and/or irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
4.13.Cyprus
Due to lack of laboratories carrying out analyses for ionising radiation, no checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Cyprus in 2014.
4.14.Latvia. Number of Samples: 14
Number of Samples: 14 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Other | Food supplements | 9 | 0 | 2* | EN 1788 |
Total: | 12 | 0 | 2 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 85,7% | 0,0% | 14,3% |
* irradiation not allowed
4.15.Lithuania. Number of Samples: 59
Number of Samples: 59 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 13783 |
Tea | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 13783 | |
Other | Food supplements | 47 | 0 | 0 | EN 13783 |
Total: | 59 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100,0% | 0,0% | 0,0% |
4.16.Luxembourg: Number of Samples: 11
Number of Samples: 11 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Other | Food supplements | 8 | 1 | 2* | EN 1788 |
Total: | 8 | 1 | 2 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 72,7% | 9,1% | 18,2% |
* irradiation not allowed
4.17.Hungary. Number of Samples: 128
Number of Samples: 128 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 125 | 0 | 3* | EN 1788 |
Total: | 125 | 0 | 3 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 97,7% | 0,0% | 2,3% |
* erroneously labelled
4.18.Malta. Number of Samples: 30
Number of Samples: 30 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 21 | 4 | 4* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Total: | 22 | 4 | 4 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 73,3% | 13,3% | 13,3% |
* erroneously labelled
4.19.Netherlands. Number of Samples: 88
Number of Samples: 88 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | fruits | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
grains and grains products | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
nuts and seeds | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
vegetable and vegetable products | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Shrimps | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 15 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Other | bakery products | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
game and poultry | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
soup chips etc | 12 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
special food | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Total: | 88 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100,0% | 0,0% | 0,0% |
4.20.Austria. Number of Samples: 64
Number of Samples: 64 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Fruit (dried) | 33 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 |
Nuts | 31 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 | |
Total: | 64 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100,0% | 0,0% | 0,0% |
4.21.Poland: Number of Samples: 377
Number of Samples: 377 | |||||
Foodstuffs category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Fruit (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Fruits (fresh) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Fruit (tropical) | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Garlic | 16 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Mushrooms (fresh) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Nuts | 33 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 | |
Onions | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Potatoes | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Pulses | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Vegetables (fresh) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans or molluscs (frozen) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 | |
Fish and fish products | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786; EN 1788 | |
Prawns and snacks (fried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Shrimps | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 98 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 |
Herbal teas / Infusions | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Tea | 18 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Meat and meat products | Meat | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 |
Meat and meat products | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Meat (except poultry and game) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Meat (from different birds, kangaroo, hare) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Meat, offal, meat products | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Poultry meat | 12 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784; EN 1786 | |
Milk and milk products | Cheese (containing spices/herbs) | 36 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 |
Cheese (cottage) | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Cheese (ripened) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Other | Cocoa | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Food for particular nutritional uses | 11 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Food supplements | 17 | 1 | 2** | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Meals and dishes (prepared) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 | |
Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Soup | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
Total: | 372 | 2 | 3 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 98,7% | 0,5% | 0,8% |
* irradiation not allowed
**erroneously labelled, irradiation not allowed
4.22.Portugal: Number of Samples:11
Number of Samples: 11 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Cereal products | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Herbal teas / Infusions | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Tea | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Other | Food supplements | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Total: | 11 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100,0% | 0,0% | 0,0% |
* irradiation not allowed
4.23.Romania. Number of Samples: 243
Number of Samples: 243 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Fruit (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Oil seeds | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 22 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 147 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 |
Herbal teas / Infusions | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Tea | 12 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Other | Food supplements | 6 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 13751 EN 1787 |
Other | 42 | 0 | 1** | EN 13751 | |
Total: | 240 | 1 | 2 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 98,8% | 0,4% | 0,8% |
* irradiation not allowed
**irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
4.24.Slovenia: Number of Samples: 19
Number of Samples: 19 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Garlic | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Tea | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
Other | Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 0 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Total: | 17 | 2 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 89,5% | 10,5% | 0,0% |
4.25.Slovakia: Number of Samples: 24
Number of Samples: 24 | |||||
Foodstuffs category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Cereals, seed, vegetables and fruit | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 |
Fruit (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Nuts | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Oil seeds | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
Milk and milk products | Cheese (containing spices/herbs) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 |
Cheese (ripened) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
Total: | 24 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 100,0% | 0,0% | 0,0% |
4.27.Finland: Number of Samples: 289
Number of Samples: 289 | |||||
Foodstuffs category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Berries | 4 | 2 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Berry products | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Cereal products | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Dried root products | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Fruit (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 4 | 0 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
Nut products | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Sea weed products | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Seeds | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 14 | 0 | 2* | EN 13751 | |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 118 | 2 | 3** | EN 13751 |
Herbal teas / Infusions | 11 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Tea | 33 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Other | Beverage ingredient | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Cocoa preparation | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Fat preparation | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Food for particular nutritional uses | 5 | 0 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
Food supplements | 36 | 2 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
Honey and other bee products | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Meals and dishes (prepared) | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Protein preparation | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 2 | 0 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
Snacks product | 3 | 0 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
Total: | 273 | 6 | 10 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 94,5% | 2,1% | 3,5% |
* irradiation not allowed
**erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
4.28.Sweden
Due to staff restriction no samples were analysed during the year 2014.
4.29.United Kingdom: Number of Samples: 50
Number of Samples: 50 | |||||
Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Instant noodles | 17 | 1 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans or molluscs (frozen) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 26 | 0 | 3* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
Ginger (Pickled) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
Total: | 45 | 1 | 4 | ||
Total % of analysed samples: | 90,0% | 2,0% | 8,0% |
* erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
4.30.Norway
Due to lack of laboratories carrying out analyses for ionising radiation, no checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Norwat during the year 2014.
5. Summary
The current report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2014. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the Commission by 27 Member States. Croatia did not submit data for 2014.
In 2014, 25 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 13 Member States, in accordance with Article 7(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC. No approved irradiation facilities have been closed. Norway submitted data on quantities of foodstuff irradiated during the year 2014.
A total quantity of 5543.3 tonnes of products were treated with ionising irradiation in EU Member States, 84% of which were irradiated mainly in two Member States: Belgium (59%) and Netherlands (24%). The two main commodities irradiated are frog legs (55%) and offal of poultry (16.2%). There is a regular decrease in the total quantity of products irradiated in the EU compared to the previous years: 6876 tonnes irradiated in 2013 (decrease of 19% in 2014 compared with 2013) and 7972 tonnes in 2012 (decrease of 14% in 2013 compared with 2012).
27 Member States submitted information on the checks carried out at the product marketing stage. Six Member States and Norway did not perform any analytical checks at product marketing stake during the year 2014.
A total of 5779 samples were analysed by 21 Member States in 2014. Three Member States accounted for 71.7% of the samples (Germany 55.6%, Italy 9.6% and the Netherlands 6.5%; in 2013: Germany 50.5%, Italy 9.7% and the Netherlands 6.3%). Germany remains the leader in terms of controlling food products at marketing stage. 5646 samples (97.7%) were compliant with the provisions of Directive 1999/2/EC, 73 samples (1.3%) were non-compliant, and 59 samples (1.0%) gave inconclusive results. The two main reasons for non-compliance of tested samples were similar to the previous years, namely, incorrect labelling and forbidden irradiation; non-compliance was also due to irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU. Reasons for non-compliance are given in each table reporting the tests carried out in each Member State.
(1) Directive 1999/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 February 1999 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation (OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 16).
(2) http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/index_en.htm
(3) OJ C 265, 1.9.2012, p. 3.
(4) Directive 1999/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 February 1999 on the establishment of a Community list of food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation
(OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 24).
(5) OJ C 283, 24.11.2009, p. 5.