Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2011)359 - Food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2008 - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2011)359 - Food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2008. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2011)359  |
| date | 27-06-2011 |
/* COM/2011/0359 final */ REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2008
[afbeelding - zie origineel document]
Contents
- REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION
- 1. Legal basis and background
- and
- 1.1. Irradiation facilities
- 1.2. Irradiated food and food ingredients
- 2. Results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities
- 2.1. Belgium
- 2.2. Bulgaria
- 2.3. Czech Republic
- 2.4. Denmark
- 2.5. Germany
- Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
- 2.6. Spain
- Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
- Total
- 2.7. France
- 2.8. Hungary
- 2.9. Italy
- 2.10. The Netherlands
- Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
- 2.11. Poland
- Total
- 2.12. Portugal
- 2.13. Romania
- 2.14. The United Kingdom
- 2.15. Summarising table for the EU
- 3. Results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect irradiated foods
- 3.1. Austria
- Herbal teas EN 1788, EN
- 3.2. Belgium
- 3.3. Bulgaria
- 3.4. Cyprus
- Total
- 3.5. Czech Republic
- 3.6. Germany
- Seasoning EN 1787, EN 13751, EN
- Crustaceans, shellfish, other aquatic animals including their products EN 1788, EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 13751, EN 13751 *
- Food supplements EN 13751, EN 1788, EN
- Cereals and cereal products EN 1787, EN
- Cocoa EN
- 3.7. Denmark
- 3.8. Estonia
- 3.9. Greece
- 3.10. Spain
- Meat of different species EN
- 3.11. Finland
- 3.12. France
- 3.13. Hungary
- 3.14. Ireland
- Noodles
- Seeds
- Miscellaneous
- 3.15. Italy
- 3.16. Latvia
- 3.17. Lithuania
- Total
- 3.18. Luxembourg
- 3.19. Malta
- Total
- 3.20. The Netherlands
- 3.21. Poland
- 3.22. Portugal
- 3.23. Romania
- 3.24. Sweden
- 3.25. Slovak Republic
- Cheese EN
- 3.26. Slovenia
- 3.27. The United Kingdom
- 3.28. Summary for the EU
- DE 3. 3.
- PT NAC NAC NAC NAC
- 4. Summary
ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2008
Article 7 i of 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 i, requires Member States to forward to the Commission every year:
– the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of food and food ingredients treated and the doses administered
– the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect treatment with ionising radiation.
Article 7 i 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 by the national supervisory authorities.
The current report covers the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the Commission by the 27 Member States.
Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumer i.
According to Article 3 i of Directive 1999/2/EC, 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 i requires Member States to inform the Commission on their approved irradiation facilities.
Irradiation of food and food ingredients may only be carried out by means of the following sources:
– 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 the Member States has been published by the Commission i .
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 of 22 February 1999 on the establishment of a Community list of food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation i. In addition, 7 Member States have notified that they maintain national authorisations for certain food and food ingredients in accordance with Article 4 i of Directive 1999/2/EC. The list of national authorisations has been published by the Commission i.
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 European Commission.
This section of the report deals with the results of the checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of products treated and the 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 show the categories and quantities of products irradiated in approved facilities in the EU Member States in 2008.
No products were irradiated in 2008.
Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning 5-
Total
There are no approved facilities in Denmark.
There are four facilities approved. No products were irradiated in one facility.
Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning 332, <
Total 332,
There are two facilities approved. During 2008, food and food ingredients were irradiated in only one of these facilities.
Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings <
Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
Poultry
Gum Arabic
Herbs, spices and dried vegetables
Total
Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
Spices, spice peppers 4-
Dehydrated products 3-
Herbs 3-
Other products 0, 3-
Total 257,
No products were irradiated in 2008.
There are two facilities approved.
Spices / Herbs 498, NI
Frog parts 277, NI
Poultry meat (frozen) 310, NI
Dried vegetables 1.344, NI
Egg white 224, NI
Shrimps (frozen) 87, NI
Food Samples NI
Total 3.104,
(NI: no information forwarded on this point).
Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy)
Dry spices, dried flavoured herbs, vegetable & root spices 5-
There are no approved facilities in Portugal
No products were irradiated in 2008.
No products were irradiated in 2008.
The following table summarises the quantities of foodstuffs (in tonnes) treated by ionising radiation in approved irradiation facilities within the European Union.
Category of products BE CZ DE ES FR HU NL PL Total %
Dehydrated blood 0,
Egg white 224, 224, 2,
Fish & Shellfish 87, 234, 2,
Food Samples 4,
Frog legs / parts 2. 277, 2.454, 28,
Gum arabic 1,
Herbs, Spices 498, 1.739, 19,
Poultry 310, 1.653, 18,
Starch 0,
Vegetables 4, 1.344, 1. 16,
Other 5,
Total 3.591, 3.104, 8.718,
% of total 41, 0, 3, 2, 10, 2, 35, 2,
3. Results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect irradiated foods
Regarding the results of the checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect treatment with ionising radiation, the Member States submitted the following information.
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Herbs & Spices EN 1788, EN
Poultry EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 99,19 % 0,00 % 0,81 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Instant noodles EN 1788 *
Crustaceans and molluscs
Frozen herbs
Food supplements
Dried vegetables
Fruit
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 98,89 % 0,00 % 1,10 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried spices EN 1787, EN
Tea EN 1787, EN
Dried fruits EN
Mix of spices EN 1787, EN
Nuts EN 1787, EN
Dried vegetable seasoning EN 1787, EN
Red Pepper EN 1787, EN
Shrimps EN
Rice EN
Meat EN 1786, EN
Fish EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 0 % 0 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried vegetables, herbs and spices ΕΝ
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 0 % 0 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Fresh fruits EN 1788, EN
Fish and shellfish EN
Herbal tea products EN
Spices EN
Dietary supplements EN
Instant noodle soups EN 1788, EN
Poultry EN
Frog legs EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 98,25 % 0 % 1,75 %
Food analysed Number of samples: 3. CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Herbs & spices 1. EN 1788, EN 1787, EN
Soups, sauces and instant noodles EN 1788, EN 1787, EN
Tea & tea-like products EN 1788, EN 1787, EN
Dried mushrooms & mushroom products EN 1788, EN 13751, EN
Crustaceans, shellfish, other aquatic animals including their products EN 1788, EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 13751, EN 13751 *
Fresh fruit EN 1787, EN 1788, EN
Pulses, nuts & oil seeds EN 1787, EN 1788, EN
Food additives EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788, EN
Poultry EN 1784, EN 1786, EN
Dried fruit and fruit products EN 1787, EN 1788, EN
Fresh vegetables EN 1788, EN 1787, EN
Cheese with herbs EN 1788, EN
Fish products EN 1786, EN 1788, EN
Dried vegetables EN 1788, EN 1787, EN
Meat products (excluding sausages) EN 1786, EN 1784, EN
Sausages EN 1786, EN
Potatoes, parts of plants with high starch content EN 1787, EN 1788, EN
Ready-to-eat meals EN 1787, EN 1786, EN
Fresh mushrooms EN
Meat (excluding poultry) EN 1786, EN
Eggs & egg products EN
Butter with herbs EN 1788, EN
Milk & milk products EN
Fish EN 1786, EN 1788, EN
Wild game EN
Total 3.
Total in % of analysed samples 98,66 % 0,41 % 0,93 %
* Other methods (e.g. electron paramagnetic resonance) are also used to detect irradiation.
In 2008 no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage.
According to the Danish competent authorities undertakings in Denmark are, however, obliged to carry out own-checks to ensure that the rules are complied with. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration have verified these self-monitoring activities through documentary checks.
In 2008 no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage in Estonia.
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried vegetables, herbs and spices EN 13751 (PPSL)
Cocoa EN 13751 (PPSL)
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 0 % 0 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Herbs and spices EN 1787, EN
Fruits & dried fruits EN 1787, EN
Infusions EN 1787, EN
Vegetables EN 1787, EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 0 % 0 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried spices and herbs EN 13751, EN
Food supplements EN 13751, EN
Seafood products EN 13751, EN
Berries EN 13751, EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 95,24 % 0 % 4,76 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Spices EN 1784, EN
Frozen crustaceans or molluscs EN 1784, EN
Dehydrated soups and sauces EN 1784, EN
Food supplements EN 1784, EN
Poultry EN 1784, EN
Dehydrated instant preparations (Asian noodles) EN 1784, EN
Plants for food supplements EN 1784, EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 94,69 % 0 % 5,31 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Tea EN
Food supplements
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 9,53 % 90,47 % 0 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dietary supplements EN 13751 (screening), EN 1788 (confirmation)
Herbs & spices
Seasonings & Stocks
Tea
Sauces & soups
PARNUTS*
Fruit & vegetables
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 97,73 % 0 % 2,27 %
* PARNUTS: Food for particular nutritional purposes.
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Meat EN 13784, EN
Spices EN 13783, EN
Oregano
Meat products EN 13784, EN
Pepper EN 13783, EN
Seasoning (granular vegetable)
Paprika
Fish EN 13784, EN
Garlic EN 13783, EN
Poultry EN
Curry EN 13783, EN
Onions
Fish products EN 13784, EN
Shallots EN 13783, EN
Tea (infusion)
Potatoes
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 91,12 % 8,88 % 0 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Food supplements EN
Dried vegetables (onion, paprika, carrot)
Muesli
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 74,29 % 0 % 25,71 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried aromatic herbs, tea, spices, food supplements EN 13783:
Total in % of analysed samples 98,32 % 0 % 1,68 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Food supplements EN
Frozen frog legs EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 84,62 % 7,69 % 7,69 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Herbs & Spices EN
Total in % of analysed samples 16,00 % 0 % 84,00 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Food supplements EN 1788, EN
Cereal products EN 13751, EN
Dried vegetables and vegetable products EN 13751, EN
Dried fruit and fruit products EN 13751, EN
Nuts and seeds EN 13751, EN
Fish and fish products EN 13751, EN
Salads, pasta and soup EN 13751, EN
Spices/flavours EN 13751, EN
Unspecified product EN 13751, EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 93,19 % 0 % 6,8 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings EN 1788, EN
Nuts EN
Vegetables (including pulses) EN
Fruits EN
Fish and shellfish EN
Poultry and poultry products, egg and egg products EN 1786, EN 1787, EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 98,67 % 00,00 % 1,33 %
No checks were carried out at the marketing stage in 2008 in Portugal.
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Instant noodles (with different flavours) EN
Spices, mushrooms, garlic, herbs, other dry vegetal ingredients EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 0,00 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Meat EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Peanuts & other nuts EN
Vegetable EN
Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning EN 1784, EN
Tea EN
Poppy seed EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %
Food analysed Number of samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Spices EN 13751, EN
Food supplements EN 13751, EN
Tea EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 77,67 % 23,33 % 00,00 %
Food analysed Number of products sampled: 275 Number of analysed samples: CEN method used
Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant
Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings EN13751, EN
Food supplements EN13751, EN
Fresh and preserved (other than dried) herbs and spices EN13751, EN
Noodles and dehydrated Asian meals EN13751, EN
Vegetables EN
Fruit (including fresh and dried) EN13751, EN
Sauces (liquid/frozen) EN
Mushrooms EN
Teas EN13751, EN
Dried Fish and seafood EN
Honey and other bee products EN13751, EN
Total
Total in % of analysed samples 89,44 % 6,33 % 4,23 %
The following table summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained for the EU as a whole:
Member State Compliant Samples Inconclusive Non compliant samples total samples % versus EU Total samples
AT 1,
BE 1,
BG 1,
CY 0,
CZ 0,
DK NAC NAC NAC NAC
EE NAC NAC NAC NAC
EL 0,
ES 2,
FI 3,
FR 1,
HU 0,
IE 7,
IT 2,
LV 0,
LT 1,
LU 0,
MT 0,
NL 7,
PL 2,
RO 0,
SE 0,
SK 0,
SI 0,
UK 4,
Total EU 6. 6.
in % 96,53 % 1,19 % 2,28 %
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NAC: No analytical checks were performed in 2008.
The current report covers the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the Commission by the 27 Member States.
In 2008, 23 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 12 Member States in accordance with Article 7 i of Directive 1999/2/EC. One irradiation facility has been approved. No approved irradiation facilities have been closed. Six irradiation facilities did not irradiate any food during 2008.
A total quantity of 8.718,4 tonnes of products were treated with ionising irradiation in the Member States, 88,55 % of which were irradiated in three Member States: Belgium (41,19 %), the Netherlands (35,61 %) and France (10,85 %). The three biggest fractions within the irradiated categories are frog legs (28,16 %), herbs & spices (19,95 %) and poultry (18,97 %).
27 Member States submitted information regarding the checks carried out at the product marketing stage. Three Member States performed no analytical checks in official control and inspection. One of these Member States signalled that under its national legislation food business operators should carry out their own checks to ensure that rules on food irradiation, and other food law, are complied with.
A total of 6.220 samples have been taken by 24 Member States, three Member States accounted for 70,57% of the samples (Germany 55%, Ireland 7,78% and the Netherlands 7,79%). 6.004 samples (96,53 %) were compliant with the provisions of the Directives. 142 samples (2,28 %) were non compliant. Reasons for non compliance are most often related to incorrect labelling and irradiation of categories for which this is not authorised. 74 samples (1,19 %) gave inconclusive results. Reasons for inconclusive results are most often related to non-confirmation after positive results from screening tests and/or to the difficulty to determine which of the ingredients were irradiated, even if they are labelled, in composed foodstuffs.
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