Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2015)69 - Report on food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2013 - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2015)69 - Report on food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2013. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2015)69  |
| date | 25-02-2015 |
ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2013
1. Introduction
The current report, as requested 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 radiation1 covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2013. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the European Commission by 26 Member States. Malta and Croatia did not submit data for 2013. Croatia joined the EU as of 1 of July 2013.
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,
Contents
- and
- 3.4. Germany
- 3.5. Estonia
- 3.6. Spain
- 3.7. France
- 3.9. Netherlands
- 3.10. Poland
- NDS: No data submitted; NCP: No check performed
- 4.2. Belgium. Number of Samples: 123
- 4.3. Bulgaria. Number of Samples: 5
- 4.4. Czech Republic: Number of Samples: 30
- 4.6. Germany: Number of Samples: 2886
- 4.8. Ireland: Number of Samples: 91
- 4.9. Greece: Number of Samples: 10
- 4.10. Spain: Number of Samples: 162
- 4.11. France: Number of Samples: 174
- 4.12. Italy: Number of Samples: 553
- 4.14. Latvia: Number of Samples: 13
- 4.15. Lithuania: Number of Samples: 97
- 4.16. Luxembourg: Number of Samples: 20
- 4.17. Hungary: Number of Samples: 81
- 4.20. Netherlands: Number of Samples: 360
- 4.21. Austria: Number of Samples: 72
- 4.22. Poland: Number of Samples: 308
- 4.23. Portugal: Number of Samples: 23
- 4.24. Romania: Number of Samples: 208
- 4.25. Slovenia: Number of Samples: 28
- 4.26. Slovakia: Number of Samples: 21
- 4.27. Finland: Number of Samples: 272
- 4.29. United Kingdom: Number of Samples: 176
- 4.10. Spain
- 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 Consumers2.
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 Commission3.
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 radiation4. 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 Commission5.
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 Member States in 2013, in particular, regarding 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 | 3399.3 |
| Bulgaria | 2 | No food irradiated |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 24.4 |
| Germany | 4 | 103.3 |
| Estonia | 1 | 35.2 |
| Spain | 3* | 871.0 |
| France | 5 | 691.0 |
| Italy | 1 | No food irradiated |
| Hungary | 1 | 6.7 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 1678.6 |
| Poland | 2 | 66.7 |
| Romania | 1 | No food irradiated |
| United Kingdom | 1 | No food irradiated |
| Total: | 25 | 6876.2 |
* No food was irradiated in two of the three facilities.
There are 25 approved irradiation facilities within the European Union located in 13 Member States. No foodstuff was irradiated in 7 of the 25 approved facilities. Only 9 out of 13 Member States irradiated foodstuffs in 2013.
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 2013:
There are no approved facilities in the following Member States: Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Portugal.
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) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 4 - 7.9 |
| Dehydrated blood, plasma, coagulates | 2.2 - 6.6 |
| Frozen frog legs | 2.7 - 4.7 |
| Offal of poultry | 3.1 - 4.4 |
3.3. Czech Republic
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5.66 - 9.92 |
| Dried vegetables and fruits* | 6.65 - 8.7 |
* Leccinum sp., Suillus luteus, Boletus edulis and dried mushrooms mixture
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetables seasoning (dried) | 5-10 |
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 10 |
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 9.31 |
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5-10 |
| Frozen frog legs | 1-10 |
| Mechanically recovered poultry meat | 4-10 |
3.8. Hungary
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 2 - 10 |
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 4-8 |
| Chicken meat | 3-5 |
| Dried vegetables and fruits | 2-8 |
| Egg white | 1 |
| Frozen frog legs | 4-8 |
| Shrimps | 3 |
| Foodstuffs | Absorbed dose (kGy) |
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5 - 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 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 as a whole:
| Member State | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-compliant | Total samples | % Versus EU total samples |
| BE | 104 | 16 | 3 | 123 | 2,1% |
| BG | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0,1% |
| CZ | 26 | 1 | 3 | 30 | 0,5% |
| DK | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | |
| DE | 2839 | 9 | 38 | 2886 | 50,5% |
| EE | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | |
| IE | 90 | 0 | 1 | 91 | 1,6% |
| EL | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0,2% |
| ES | 162 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 2,8% |
| FR | 167 | 0 | 7 | 174 | 3,0% |
| HR | NDS | NDS | NDS | NDS | |
| IT | 535 | 10 | 8 | 553 | 9,7% |
| CY | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | |
| LV | 8 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0,2% |
| LT | 95 | 0 | 2 | 97 | 1,7% |
| LU | 18 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 0,4% |
| HU | 81 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 1,4% |
| MT | NDS | NDS | NDS | NDS | |
| NL | 340 | 0 | 20 | 360 | 6,3% |
| AT | 65 | 0 | 7 | 72 | 1,3% |
| PL | 296 | 3 | 10 | 308 | 5,4% |
| PT | 19 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 0,4% |
| RO | 201 | 4 | 3 | 208 | 3,6% |
| SI | 28 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0,5% |
| SK | 21 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0,4% |
| FI | 252 | 7 | 13 | 272 | 4,8% |
| SE | NCP | NCP | NCP | NCP | |
| UK | 149 | 22 | 5 | 176 | 3,1% |
| Total EU | 5511 | 73 | 130 | 5713 | 100% |
| 96,4% | 1% | 2% | 100% |
The following histogram summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained per Member State:
| Number of Samples: 123 | |||||
| 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 (fresh) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Pasta products | 7 | 6 | 1* | EN 1788 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Molluscs | 20 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Shrimps | 18 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Herbs and spices | Herbs and spices (frozen) | 16 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Tea | 19 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 2 | 6 | 1* | EN 1788 |
| Other | Food supplements | 10 | 0 | 1** | EN 1788 |
| Total: | 104 | 16 | 3 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 85% | 13% | 2% |
* erroneously labelled
** irradiation not allowed
| Number of Samples: 5 | |||||
| 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) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Tea | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Total: | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| 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 | Garlic | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Instant noodles | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 8 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Other | Food supplements (yucca powder)* | 4 | 0 | 1 | EN 1788 |
| Soup* | 5 | 0 | 2 | EN 1788 | |
| Total: | 26 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 87% | 3% | 10% |
* 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 which accompany or refer to irradiated foodstuffs, so it was not possible to say if the product was irradiated in a facility approved by the EU.
4.5. Denmark
Due to limited financial resources, no checks were carried out at product marketing stage in 2013.
| Number of Samples: 2886 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Cereal products | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 |
| Cereals | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 | |
| Fruit (dried) | 80 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Fruits (fresh) | 51 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 EN 1787 | |
| Mushrooms (fresh) | 14 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 142 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Potatoes | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Pulses | 66 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 36 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables (fresh) | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 148 | 0 | 5** | EN 1786 EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 |
| Fish and fish products | 41 | 0 | 1*** | EN 1784 EN 1786 EN 1788 | |
| Fish and seafood (dried) | 14 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 1124 | 6 | 3** | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 |
| Herbs and spices (seasonings or condiments) | 197 | 0 | 6* | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Tea | 201 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Meat and meat products | Meat (except poultry and game) | 31 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 EN 1787 |
| Meat products (except sausages) | 48 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 | |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Poultry meat | 118 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 | |
| Sausage products | 30 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 | |
| Milk and milk products | Butter (with herbs) | 6 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
| Cheese (containing spices/herbs) | 41 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 | |
| Milk and milk products | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 | |
| Other | Coffee | 0 | 0 | 1*** | EN 1788 |
| Food supplements | 154 | 1 | 4*** | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Meals and dishes (prepared) | 24 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Other | 33 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 199 | 2 | 16* | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 2839 | 9 | 38 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 98% | 0% | 1% |
* erroneously labelled
** erroneously labelled and/or irradiation not allowed
*** irradiation not allowed
4.7. Estonia
Due to lack of laboratories carrying out analyses for ionising radiation, no checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Estonia in 2013. Furthermore, according to the Estonian Competent Authorities, there were no suspicion cases on potential non-compliant irradiated foodstuffs on their market.
| Number of Samples: 91 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Berries | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables and fruit | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Instant noodles | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Tomato Powder | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Herbs and Spices | 26 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Meat and meat products | Burger Mix | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Other | Food supplements | 52 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Total: | 90 | 0 | 1 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 99% | 0% | 1% |
* erroneously labelled
| Number of Samples: 10 | |||||
| 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) | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Number of Samples: 162 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Fruit (dried) | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 |
| Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 12 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Nuts | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 | |
| Oil seeds | 32 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 24 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Fish and fish products | 17 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 45 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Meat and meat products | Meat | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
| Total: | 162 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Number of Samples: 174 | |||||
| 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 | 54 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Shrimps | 20 | 0 | 1* | EN 1786 |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 44 | 0 | 2* | EN 1788 |
| Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
| Meat and meat products | 31 | 0 | 4* | EN 1784 | |
| Total: | 167 | 0 | 7 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 96% | 0% | 4% |
* erroneously labelled
| Number of Samples: 553 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Cereals | 2 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Fruit (dried) | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 EN 13784 EN 1787 | |
| Fruits (fresh) | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Garlic | 17 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13784 EN 13751 | |
| Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 14 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Nuts | 20 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Onions | 22 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13784 EN 13751 | |
| Other vegetables | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Potatoes | 26 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13784 EN 13751 | |
| Pulses | 12 | 0 | 0 | EN 13784 EN 13751 | |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 95 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 13751 |
| Fish and fish products | 18 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 EN 1788 EN 13784 | |
| Shrimps | 38 | 3 | 4*** | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Surimi | 0 | 2 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 124 | 0 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 13784 EN 13783 EN 1787 EN 13751 |
| Ingredients of plants food supplements | 25 | 0 | 1** | EN 1788 EN 13784 EN 13751 | |
| Tea | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 | |
| Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 14 | 0 | 2 | EN 1786 EN 13751 |
| Meat (except poultry and game) | 36 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 EN 13784 | |
| Poultry meat | 39 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 EN 13784 | |
| Other | Meals and dishes (prepared) | 0 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 535 | 10 | 8 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 97% | 2% | 1% |
* 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 2013.
| Number of Samples: 13 | |||||
| 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 | 5 | 0 | 5* | EN 1788 |
| Total: | 8 | 0 | 5 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 62% | 0% | 38% |
* irradiation not allowed
| Number of Samples: 97 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Other | Food supplements | 95 | 0 | 2* | EN 13783 |
| Total: | 95 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 98% | 0% | 2% |
* irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
| Number of Samples: 20 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Raw frozen large prawns | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Meat and meat products | Frog legs | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
| Other | Food supplements | 3 | 0 | 2* | EN 1788 |
| Total: | 18 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 90% | 0% | 10% |
* irradiation not allowed in Luxembourg, products are coming from USA
| Number of Samples: 81 | |||||
| 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) | 81 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 |
| Total: | 81 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Number of Samples: 360 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Other | 101 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | only category is reported | 40 | 0 | 8* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Herbs and spices | Only category is reported | 83 | 0 | 1*** | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Meat and meat products | Only category is reported | 3 | 0 | 0*** | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Other | Food for particular nutritional uses | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Food supplements | 83 | 0 | 11** | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Poultry | 27 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 340 | 0 | 20 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 94% | 0% | 6% |
* erroneously labelled
** irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
*** no reason provided
| Number of Samples: 72 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Fish, crustaceans, shellfish and their products | Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals (including their products) | 20 | 0 | 2** | EN 1786 |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 30 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Other | Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 15 | 0 | 5* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Total: | 65 | 0 | 7 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 90% | 0% | 10% |
* erroneously labelled
** irradiation not allowed
| Number of Samples: 308 | |||||
| Foodstuffs category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Berries | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 | |
| Dried fruit | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 | |
| Fruits (fresh) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 | |
| Fruit (tropical) | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 | |
| Garlic | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Mushrooms (fresh); Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| onions | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Potatoes | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Pulses | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Soups | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Tea | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Vegetables (fresh) | 1 | 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) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 | |
| Fish and fish products | 15 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 | |
| Shrimps | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 63 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Garlic | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Herbal teas/Infusions | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices (fresh) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Tea | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Meat and meat products | Meat | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 |
| Meat (except poultry and game) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 | |
| Meat from different birds, kangaroo, hare) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 | |
| Poultry meat | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1786 | |
| Milk and milk products | Cheese containing spices/herbs | 32 | 1 | 7* | EN 1788 |
| Cheese (cottage) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Cheese (ripened) | 1 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Milk and milk products | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Other | Berries | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 |
| Dried fruit | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13708 | |
| Food for particular nutritional uses | 8 | 0 | 1** | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Food supplements | 19 | 0 | 2*** | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Fruit (tropical) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 | |
| Herbal teas/Infusions | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Mushrooms (fresh); Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 10 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 19 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Soups | 5 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Tea | 23 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 | |
| Total: | 296 | 3 | 10 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 96% | 1% | 3% |
* erroneously labelled
** irradiation not allowed
*** custom, erroneously labelled
| Number of Samples: 23 | |||||
| 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) | 6 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Other | Food supplements | 12 | 1 | 3* | EN 13751 |
| Total: | 19 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 83% | 4% | 13% |
* irradiation not allowed
| Number of Samples: 208 | |||||
| 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 |
| Seeds | 13 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 133 | 4 | 3* | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 22 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Tea | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Other | Food for particular nutritional uses | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Food supplements | 22 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 201 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 97% | 2% | 1% |
* irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU
| Number of Samples: 28 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Berries | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 EN 13751 |
| Garlic | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 1787 EN 13751 |
| Tea | 5 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 en 1787 | |
| Meat and meat products | Chicken broth | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 13751 |
| Meat and meat products | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 13751 | |
| Poultry meat | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 13751 | |
| Other | Soup | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 1786 EN 13751 |
| Total: | 28 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Number of Samples: 21 | |||||
| Foodstuffs category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Herbs and spices | Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 |
| Meat and meat products | Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 |
| Milk and milk products | Cheese (ripened) | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 |
| Other | Other | 15 | 0 | 0 | EN 1784 EN 1788 |
| Total: | 21 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Number of Samples: 272 | |||||
| Foodstuffs category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Berries | 14 | 0 | 1* | EN 13751 |
| Cereal products | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Fruit (dried) | 3 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Nuts | 0 | 0 | 4* | EN 13751 | |
| Vegetables and vegetable products (dried) | 30 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 111 | 1 | 2** | EN 13751 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 7 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Tea | 19 | 0 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
| Other | Amino acid preparation | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Beverage ingredient | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Cocoa nibs | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Food additive | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Food for particular nutritional uses | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Food supplements | 33 | 5 | 4* | EN 13751 | |
| Meals and dishes (prepared) | 7 | 1 | 1* | EN 13751 | |
| Protein preparations | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 4 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 252 | 7 | 13 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 93% | 3% | 5% |
* erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU, irradiation not allowed
** erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU.
4.28. Sweden
In 2013, no checks were carried out at the product marketing stage.
| Number of Samples: 176 | |||||
| Foodstuff category | Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | CEN method used |
| Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products | Garlic | 3 | 1 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Instant noodles | 34 | 8 | 4* | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Mango Chutney | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Nuts | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Rice Crackers | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices | Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 84 | 6 | 0 | EN 1788 EN 13751 |
| Curry Paste | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 1 | 1 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Herbs and spices (fresh) | 5 | 1 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Tea | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Other | Coffee | 1 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Food supplements | 11 | 4 | 1* | EN 1788 EN 13751 | |
| Sauces and soups (dehydrated) | 4 | 1 | 0 | EN 13751 | |
| Total: | 149 | 22 | 5 | ||
| Total % of analysed samples: | 85% | 13% | 3% |
* erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU, irradiation not allowed
5. Summary
The current report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2013. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the Commission by 26 Member States. Malta and Croatia did not submit data for 2013.
In 2013, 25 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 13 Member States, in accordance with Article 7(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC. One new irradiation facility has been approved in Spain. No approved irradiation facilities have been closed. Seven irradiation facilities did not irradiate any food during 2013.
A total quantity of 6876 tonnes of products were treated with ionising irradiation in EU Member States, 84% of which were irradiated mainly in three Member States: Belgium (49.4%), Netherlands (24.4%) and Spain (12.7%). The two main commodities irradiated are frog legs (46.4%) and dried aromatic herbs and spices (24.4%). There has been a decrease of 14% in the total quantity of products irradiated in the EU compared to the previous year 2012 (7972 tonnes).
26 Member States submitted information regarding the checks carried out at the product marketing stage. Four Member States did not perform any analytical checks in official controls and inspections in 2013.
A total of 5713 samples have been analysed by 22 Member States in 2013. Three Member States accounted for 66% of the samples (Germany 50.5%, Italy 9.7% and the Netherlands 6.3%; in 2012: Germany 52.4%, the Netherlands 7.2% and United Kingdom 6.2%). Germany remains the leader in terms of controlling food products at marketing stage. 5511 samples (96.5%) were compliant with the provisions of Directive 1999/2/EC, 130 samples (2.3%) were non-compliant, and 73 samples (1.5%) 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.
6. Corrigendum to the report from the commission to the european parliament and the council on food ingredients treated with ionising radiation for the year 2012 (COM(2014) 52 final)
By this corrigendum, section 4.10 Spain, is replaced by the following:
| Foodstuffs analysed at product marketing stage | Number of Samples: 141 | CEN method used | ||
| Compliant | Inconclusive | Non-Compliant | ||
| Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) | 77 | 1 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751; EN 1787 |
| Fish and fish products | 30 | 0 | 0 | EN 1786 |
| Herbal teas / Infusions | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN 13751 |
| Meat and meat products | 2 | 0 | 0 | EN1786 |
| Mushrooms or mushrooms products (dried) | 9 | 0 | 0 | EN 1788; EN 13751 |
| Nuts | 6 | 0 | 0 | EN1787 |
| Vegetables (dried) | 8 | 0 | 0 | EN13751; EN1787 |
| Total: | 140 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total % of analysed samples: | 99% | 1% | 0% |
1Directive 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).
2ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/irradiation
3OJ C 265, 1.9.2012, p. 3.
4Directive 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).
5OJ C 283, 24.11.2009, p. 5.
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