A BBC investigation has found evidence that irradiated food is on sale in leading British supermarkets and health food stores, breaking UK and European laws. Supporters of food irradiation say it is a safe way of killing harmful bugs, such as E.coli. They were bought by Trading Standards officers at two of Britain's leading supermarkets.
Irradiation is used in some countries to kill food bacteria and extend shelf life.
But there is no current licence to import irradiated seafood to the UK - and the treatment is only licensed for herbs and spices which must be labelled as irradiated. No company has yet been prosecuted. Suffolk Trading Standards officer Dave Pearsons said enforcement was first carried out by writing to people with advice on the law. I think the manufacturers and retailers are not aware that the food is being irradiated. Cosmetic sterilising There is only one plant in the UK licensed to irradiate herbs and spices.