EN Official Journal of the European Union C 242/2

Report from the Commission on food irradiation for the year 2007

2009/C 242/02

1. LEGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND

Article 7(3) 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 (1) requires the 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, 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 same Directive imposes on the Commission to publish in the Official Journal of the European Communities:

— 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 2007 to 31 December 2007. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the Commission by 25 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 (2).

1.1. Irradiation facilities

According to Article 3(2) 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. The Member States have to inform the Commission of their approved irradiation facilities (Article 7(1)).

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 (3) in the Official Journal of the European Union and can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/approved_facilities_en.pdf

1.2. Irradiated food and food ingredients

The irradiation of dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings is authorised in the EU at Community level (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 (4)).

In addition, seven Member States have notified 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 and foodstuff or compound food containing one or more irradiated food ingredient must be labelled with the words ‘irradiated’ or ‘treated with ionising radiation’. 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.

2. RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT IN IRRADIATION FACILITIES

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.

The Member States submitted the following information on approved facilities and checks carried out in those facilities.

2.1. Belgium

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2007 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility Sterigenics SA with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of products irradiated in this facility in 2007.

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Frog legs 1 521 5 Meat 445 6-8 Poultry 282 5 Fish and shellfish 258 3-5 Herbs and spices 139 6-9 Dehydrated blood 16 6-9 Vegetables 12 6 Starch 11 3 Eggs powder 7 3 Others 108 0-10 Total 2 799

2.2. Bulgaria

No information has been forwarded by Bulgaria.

2.3. Czech Republic

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2007 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility Artim Spol SRO with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of products irradiated in this facility in 2007.

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 55 1-10 Total 55

2.4. Germany

During the reporting period, there were four approved irradiation facilities in Germany. Inspections by the competent authorities in 2007 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following tables show the categories and quantities of products irradiated in 2007 for each facility. In total 331 tonnes of products were treated in three irradiation facilities in Germany in 2007.

(a) Gamma Service Produktbestrahlung GmbH, Radeberg

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices and herbs 206 < 10 Dried vegetables 24 < 10 Total 230

121 ton of the irradiated products were exported to third countries.

(b) BGS/Beta-Gamma Service GmbH & Co. KG, Wiehl

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices and herbs 21 10-13 Dried vegetables 18 10-32 Total 39

All irradiated products were exported to third countries.

(c) Isotron Deutschland GmbH, Allershausen

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Vegetables 61 5-10 Spices and herbs 1 5-10 Total 62

All irradiated products were exported to third countries.

(d) Beta-Gamma-Service Gmbh & Co. KG, Bruchsal

No products were irradiated in this facility in 2007.

2.5. Spain

In Spain, there are two facilities approved for the irradiation of food and food ingredients. Inspections by the competent authorities in 2007 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

(a) Ionmed Esterilización, SA

The following table shows the categories and quantities of products irradiated in this facility in 2007.

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 216 < 10 Total 216

(b) Aragogamma, SA

No products were irradiated in this facility in 2007.

2.6. France

In France, six facilities are approved for the irradiation of foods. Inspections by the competent authorities in 2007 confirmed the compliance of five irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC. One facility was given comments concerning the control of the irradiation doses and the status of the products before and after treatment.

The facility of Ionisos SA, Domaine de Corbeville, 91400 Orsay, (reference 91471 F) did not irradiate food and food ingredients during 2007. This facility has been closed.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of products irradiated in the facilities in 2007.

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Poultry 1 239 5 Frozen frog legs 687 5 Gum arabic 131 3 Herbs, spices and dried vegetables 60 10 Casein 22 6 Total 2 139

2.7. Hungary

In Hungary, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods. According to the official inspection made by the competent authority (Hungarian Agricultural Office) in 2007 the irradiation facility AGROSTER Besugárzó Rt. (Budapest, Jászberényi út 5.) was in compliance with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2007.

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices, spice peppers 5,9 4-6 Dehydrated products 0,5 3-4 Herbs 14,5 3-6 Total 20,9

2.8. Italy

The only approved irradiation facility in Italy, Gammarad Italia Spa, was inspected with favourable outcome. During 2007, no food and food ingredients have been irradiated in this irradiation facility.

2.9. The Netherlands

The competent authorities confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC in 2007.

From 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2007, Isotron NL treated a total of 2 323 tonnes of food and food ingredients in their two facilities in the cities of Ede and Etten-Leur. The following tables show the categories and quantities of products irradiated in these two facilities in 2007.

(a) Isotron NL — irradiation facility in Ede

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices/Herbs 753 NI Frog legs 197 NI Poultry meat (frozen) 154 NI Dehydrated vegetables 88 NI Egg white 70 NI Shrimps (frozen) 45 NI Food Samples 10 NI Total 1 317 (NI: no information forwarded on this point).

(b) Isotron NL — irradiation facility in Etten-Leur

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dried vegetables 791 NI Frog legs 146 NI Spices/Herbs 48 NI Poultry meat (frozen) 21 NI Total 1 006 (NI: no information forwarded on this point).

2.10. Poland

In Poland, there are two approved irradiation facilities. The following table show the category and quantity of foods irradiated in 2007 in one facility.

(a) Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw

Category of products Treated quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dry spices, dried flavoured herbs, vegetable spices 269 7-10 Total 269

(b) Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz

No information has been forwarded regarding this irradiation facility.

2.11. Portugal

No information has been forwarded by Portugal.

2.12. Romania

In Romania there is only one approved irradiation facility which is IRASM Center from Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering. The source of ionising radiation is Gamma rays 60Co. The facility is authorised by National Commission for Nuclear Activities. The IRASM facility did not irradiate any food/food ingredient during 2007.

2.13. The United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods. The facility did not irradiate any food under the terms of its licence in 2007.

2.14. Summarising table for the EU

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 % Casein 0 0 0 0 22 0 0 0 22 0,27 Dehydrated blood 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0,20 Egg powder 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0,09 Egg white 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 70 0,86 Fish & Shellfish 258 0 0 0 0 0 45 0 303 3,72 Food Samples 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 10 0,12 Frog legs/parts 1 521 0 0 0 687 0 343 0 2 551 31,29 Gum arabic 0 0 0 0 131 0 0 0 131 1,61 Herbs, Spices 139 55 228 216 60 21 801 269 1 789 21,94 Meat 445 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 445 5,46 Poultry 282 0 0 0 1 239 0 175 0 1 696 20,80 Starch 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0,13 Vegetables 12 0 103 0 0 0 879 0 994 12,19 Other 108 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 109 1,34 Total 2 799 55 331 216 2 139 22 2 323 269 8 154 % of total 34,33 0,67 4,06 2,65 26,23 0,27 28,49 3,30 100,00

3. RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT AT THE PRODUCT MARKETING STAGE AND THE METHODS USED TO DETECT TREATMENT WITH IONISING RADIATION

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.

3.1. Austria

In total, 115 samples were analysed. In none of these samples treatment with ionising radiation could be demonstrated.

Food analysed Number of samples: 115 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Herbs & Spices 39 0 0 EN 1788, EN 13751 Herbal teas 38 0 0 EN 1788, EN 13751 Poultry 38 0 0 EN 1786 Total 115 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %

3.2. Belgium

In total, 89 samples were analysed. One sample was found to be irradiated.

Food analysed Number of samples: 89 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Instant noodles 21 0 1 EN 1788 (6) Crustaceans and molluscs 15 0 0 Frozen herbs 15 0 0 Shrimps 15 0 0 Dried vegetables 11 0 0 Fruit 11 0 0 Total 88 0 1 Total in % of analysed samples 98,88 % 00,00 % 1,12 %

3.3. Bulgaria

No information on checks regarding food irradiation has been forwarded by Bulgaria for 2007.

3.4. Cyprus

No analytical checks regarding food irradiation were performed in 2007.

3.5. Czech Republic

In total, 60 samples were analysed. Two samples were found to be non-compliant (positive for irradiation and incorrectly labelled).

Food analysed Number of samples: 60 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Fresh fruits 15 0 0 EN 1788/EN 1785 Spices 12 0 0 EN 1788 Food supplements 8 0 1 EN 1788 Fish and shellfish 7 0 0 EN 1785 Herbal tea products 5 0 0 EN 1788 Instant noodles 3 0 1 EN 1788/EN 1785 Poultry 6 0 0 EN 1785 Shrimps 2 0 0 EN 1785 Total 58 0 2 Total in % of analysed samples 96,67 % 00,00 % 3,33 %

3.6. Germany

In total 3 744 food samples were examined of which 77 were irradiated. Two samples were irradiated and compliant with the EU Directives: one sample belonging to the category ‘Spices and herbs’ and one sample belonging to the category ‘Soups, sauces, instant noodles’. The remaining 75 irradiated samples were non-compliant:

— twenty-one samples belong to categories for which irradiation is authorised but showed non-compliant labelling,

— thirty-four samples belong to categories for which irradiation is not authorised,

— twenty samples (mostly noodles and dried soups) were irradiated, however it could not be determined which of the ingredients in these compound foods were irradiated in order to find out if the irradiation is authorised.

The categories with the highest percentages of non-compliant samples were food supplements, (16 %) and soups and sauces (11 %).

Food analysed Number of samples: 3744 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Spices and herbs 1 022 0 2 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Teas, tea-like products 328 3 0 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Seasoning 288 0 2 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Soups, sauces, instant noodles 239 12 17 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Crustaceans, shellfish, other aquatic animals including their products 180 1 2 EN 1786, EN 1788, EN 13751 (7) Fresh fruits 174 0 2 EN 1784, EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Pulses, nuts & oil seeds 162 0 0 EN 1784, EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Mushrooms, dried or mushroom products 149 0 5 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Food supplements 147 4 23 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Dried fruits or fruit products 134 0 0 EN 1788, EN 13708 (7) Fish & fisheries products 130 0 0 EN 1786, EN 1788 Cereals and cereal products 93 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Dried vegetables, vegetable products 88 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 (7) Poultry 75 0 0 EN 1784, EN 1786, EN 1788 Ready-to-serve meals 72 0 1 EN 1786, EN 1788, EN 13751 Sausages 67 0 0 EN 1784, EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788 Fresh vegetables 52 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Mushrooms, fresh 47 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Cheese with herbs 46 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788 Potatoes, parts of plants with high content of starch 42 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Meat products (ex. sausages) 41 0 0 EN 1784, EN 1786 Meat (except poultry, game) 15 0 1 EN 1786 Cheese without herbs 12 0 0 (7) Butter with herbs 10 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788 Cacao 10 0 0 EN 1787 Eggs & egg products 9 0 0 EN 1784, EN 1785 Milk/milk products 8 0 0 EN 1787 Coffee 1 0 0 EN 13751 Other 28 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788 Total 3 669 20 55 Total in % of analysed samples 98,00% 0,53 % 1,47 %

3.7. Denmark

In 2007 no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage.

Danish undertakings 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.

3.8. Estonia

No analytical checks regarding food irradiation were performed in 2007.

In 2007 no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage in Estonia.

3.9. Greece

In total, 92 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of samples: 92 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Herbs and spices 81 0 0 EN 13751 (PPSL) Cacao 8 0 0 EN 13751 (PPSL) Cereals 2 0 0 EN 13751 (PPSL) Dried soup 1 0 0 EN 13751 (PPSL) Total 92 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %

3.10. Spain

In total, 130 samples were analysed, tree of which tested positive for irradiation. All non-compliant samples were frog legs.

Food analysed Number of samples: 130 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Herbs and spices 88 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788 Dried fruits 25 0 0 EN 1786, EN 13708 Fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals 9 0 3 EN 1786 Vegetables 5 0 0 EN 1787, EN 1788 Total 127 0 3 Total in % of analysed samples 97,70 % 00,00 % 2,30 %

3.11. Finland

Altogether 94 samples were analysed. Five samples tested positive and were not labelled.

None positive samples were adequately labelled and the irradiation facilities had no EU approval.

Food analysed Number of samples: 94 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Dried spices and herbs 73 0 1 EN 1788, EN 13751 Food supplements 17 0 4 EN 1788, EN 13751 Berries 4 0 0 EN 1788 Total 89 0 5 Total in % of analysed samples 94,68 % 00,00 % 5,32 %

3.12. France

In total, 117 samples of food were analysed and six samples tested positive for irradiation and were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed Number of samples: 117 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Dried fruits 19 0 0 EN 1788 Potatoes 12 0 0 EN 1788 Dehydrated soups and sauces 11 0 0 EN 1788 Vegetables 10 0 0 EN 1788 Instant noodles 9 0 3 EN 1788 Nuts 9 0 0 EN 1788 Shellfish 7 0 1 EN 1788 Chestnuts 6 0 0 EN 1788 Mechanically recovered poultry meat 6 0 0 EN 1788 Frozen frog legs 5 0 2 EN 1788 Tea 5 0 0 EN 1788 Cereal flakes for dairy products 4 0 0 EN 1788 Ginger 4 0 0 EN 1788 Dried fish 2 0 0 EN 1788 Spices 2 0 0 EN 1788 Total 111 0 6 Total in % of analysed samples 94,87 % 00,00 % 5,13 %

3.13. Hungary

In total, 139 samples were analysed and one sample tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of samples: 139 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Spices 49 10 0 EN 1788 Tea 43 2 1 (8) Food supplements 26 8 0 Total 118 20 1 Total in % of analysed samples 84,89 % 14,39 % 0,72 %

3.14. Ireland

Analysis of 580 food samples in 2007 identified 21 foods that had been irradiated but were not carrying the required labelling.

Food analysed Number of samples: 580 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Herbs & spices 217 0 5 EN 13751 (screening), EN 1788 (confirmation) Coffees & teas 115 0 0 Noodles 66 0 4 Fruit & vegetables 42 0 2 Sauces & soups 25 0 0 Seasonings & Stocks 22 0 2 Goji berry products 14 0 4 Seeds 13 0 0 Food supplements 12 0 1 Cereals & bakery products 7 0 1 Miscellaneous 26 0 2 Total 559 0 21 Total in % of analysed samples 96,38 % 00,00 % 3,62 %

3.15. Italy

105 samples were analysed. None of these samples were found to be irradiated. The results were inconclusive in 11 cases.

Food analysed Number of samples: 105 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Spices, aromatic herbs & vegetable extracts 79 11 0 EN 13783, EN 1788 Bulb vegetables 7 0 0 EN 13783 Dried fruits 2 0 0 EN 13783 Miscellaneous fruits 2 0 0 EN 13783 Mixtures of herbs 2 0 0 EN 13783 Nuts 2 0 0 EN 13783 Total 94 11 0 Total in % of analysed samples 89,52 % 10,48 % 0,00 %

3.16. Latvia

Two samples have been taken; both samples were found compliant with EU legislation.

Food analysed Number of samples: 2 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Dry soup for fast preparation 1 0 0 EN 1788 Herbal tea 1 0 0 Total 2 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 0,00 % 0,00 %

3.17. Lithuania

89 samples were tested, all samples were compliant.

Food analysed Number of samples: 89 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Dry aromatic herbs, samples of tea, samples of spices 89 0 0 EN 13783:2004 Total 89 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %

3.18. Luxembourg

In total, 20 samples of food supplements were analysed. Six samples were found to be irradiated. The results were inconclusive in six cases.

Food analysed Number of samples: 20 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Food supplements 8 6 6 EN 1788 Total 8 6 6 Total in % of analysed samples 40,00 % 30,00 % 30,00 %

3.19. Malta

In total, 25 samples of herbs and spices were analysed. Twenty-one samples were found to be irradiated but were not labelled as such.

Food analysed Number of samples: 25 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Herbs & Spices 4 0 21 EN 13751 Total 4 0 21 Total in % of analysed samples 16,00 % 0,00 % 84,00 %

3.20. The Netherlands

In 2007, 416 samples were taken and analysed. 33 samples proved to be irradiated. Three of the irradiated samples, all dietary supplements, were correctly labelled as such.

Food analysed Number of samples: 416 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Food supplements 201 0 29 EN 1788, EN 13751 Herbs and spices 185 0 1 EN 1788, EN 13751 Total 386 0 30 Total in % of analysed samples 92,79 % 00,00 % 7,21 %

3.21. Poland

In total, 150 samples were analysed and one of these tested positive for irradiation and was not correctly labelled.

Food analysed Number of samples: 150 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 66 0 0 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 13751 Nuts including peanuts 25 0 0 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788 Vegetables 20 0 1 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788 Fruits 19 0 0 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788 Fish and shellfish 13 0 0 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788 Poultry and poultry products, egg and egg products 7 0 0 EN 1786, EN 1787, EN 1788 Total 149 0 1 Total in % of analysed samples 99,33 % 00,00 % 0,67 %

3.22. Portugal

No information has been forwarded by Portugal.

3.23. Romania

In 2007 documentary checks (including labelling) of foodstuffs (dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings) were performed in 2014 retail shops. All controlled foodstuffs were not labelled as irradiated. No analytical checks regarding food irradiation were performed in 2007.

3.24. Sweden

During the year 2007, a total six samples were analysed: meat from bison, ptarmigan, frog, crocodile, and two different kind of cheese. The method used to analyse irradiated food is according to EN 1784. None of the samples were irradiated.

Food analysed Number of samples: 6 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Meat 4 0 0 EN 1784 Cheese 2 0 0 EN 1784 Total 6 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %

3.25. Slovak Republic

In total, 41 samples were analysed during 2007 in the Slovak republic, none of which tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of samples: 41 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Peanuts & other nuts 25 0 0 EN 1784 Cheese 12 0 0 EN 1784 Meat (chicken, duck) 3 0 0 EN 1784 Poppy seed 1 0 0 EN 1784 Total 41 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %

3.26. Slovenia

Twenty samples were checked for ionising radiation treatment. None of the samples were irradiated.

Food analysed Number of samples: 20 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Spices 10 0 0 EN 13751 Food supplements 10 0 0 EN 1788, EN 13751 Total 20 0 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100,00 % 00,00 % 00,00 %

3.27. The United Kingdom

In 2007, 407 products were sampled. A number of these products were analysed as separate components (e.g. noodles and their accompanying seasoning sachet) and each part treated as an individual sample. Therefore, a total of 429 samples were analysed, of which 48 were found to be irradiated. The samples reported as ‘inconclusive’ were identified as intermediate using CEN method EN 13751:2002 and were not analysed further; or were samples of ‘low sensitivity’ such that the mineral grain fraction of the samples was insufficient to carry out accurate analysis.

Food analysed Number of products sampled: 407 Number of analysed samples: 429 CEN method used Compliant Inconclusive Non-compliant Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 163 18 6 EN 13751, EN 1778 Food supplements 83 7 31 EN 13751, EN 1778 Noodles and dehydrated Asian meals 30 2 4 EN 13751, EN 1778 Fresh and preserved (other than dried) herbs and spices 27 0 0 EN 13751, EN 1778 Fruit (including fresh and dried) 23 0 1 EN 13751, EN 1778 Teas 14 0 3 EN 13751, EN 1778 Mushrooms 7 0 0 EN 13751 Fish/seafood (dried shrimps) 2 0 0 EN 13751 Sauces (liquid/frozen) 2 0 0 EN 13751 Dried meat 1 0 0 EN 13751 Honey and other bee products 1 0 3 EN 13751, EN 1778 Vegetables (dried onions) 1 0 0 EN 13751 Total 354 27 48 Total in % of analysed samples 82,52 % 6,29 % 11,19 %

3.28. Summary for the EU

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 115 0 0 115 1,78 BE 88 0 1 89 1,38 BG NI NI NI NI NI CY NAC NAC NAC NAC NAC CZ 58 0 2 60 0,93 DE 3 669 20 55 3 744 57,93 DK NAC NAC NAC NAC NAC EE NAC NAC NAC NAC NAC EL 92 0 0 92 1,42 ES 127 0 3 130 2,01 FI 89 0 5 94 1,45 FR 111 0 6 117 1,81 HU 118 20 1 139 2,15 IE 559 0 21 580 8,97 IT 94 11 0 105 1,62 LV 2 0 0 2 0,03 LT 89 0 0 89 1,38 LU 8 6 6 20 0,31 MT 4 0 21 25 0,39 NL 383 0 33 416 6,44 PL 149 0 1 150 2,32 PT NI NI NI NI NI RO NAC NAC NAC NAC NAC SE 6 0 0 6 0,09 SK 41 0 0 41 0,63 SI 20 0 0 20 0,31 UK 354 27 48 429 6,64 TOTAL EU 6 176 84 203 6 463 IN % 95,56 1,30 3,14 NI: No information has been forwarded by the Member State. NAC: No analytical checks were performed in 2007.

4. SUMMARY

The current report covers the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007. It contains a compilation of the information forwarded to the Commission by 25 Member States.

Based on the information received, 22 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 11 Member States in accordance with Article 7(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC. One approved irradiation facility has been closed. No new irradiation facilities were approved during 2007, but one irradiation facility was added to the list due to the accession of Romania and Bulgaria. Six irradiation facilities did not irradiate any food or food ingredients during 2007; information on one irradiation facility was not forwarded.

During 2007, a total quantity of 8 154 tonnes of products was treated with ionising irradiation in 16 approved irradiation facilities in eight Member States. 89,29 % were irradiated in three Member States: Belgium (34,33 %), the Netherlands (28,49 %) and France (26,23 %). The three biggest fractions within the irradiated categories were frog legs (31,29 %), herbs & spices (21,94 %) and poultry (20,80 %).

Regarding the checks carried out at the product marketing stage, 25 out of 27 Member States submitted information. Four Member States performed no analytical checks in official control and inspection. One of these Member States signalled that under its national legislation food business operator should carry out own checks to ensure that rules on food irradiation are complied with.

A total of 6 463 samples were taken by 21 Member States. 6 176 samples (95,56 %) were compliant with the provisions of the Directives. 203 samples (3,14 %) were non-compliant. Reasons for non-compliance most often related to incorrect labelling and irradiation of categories for which this is not authorised. Eighty-four samples (1,30 %) gave inconclusive results. This mainly occurred in mixtures of ingredients where it sometimes impossible to determine which of the ingredients were irradiated in order to find out if the irradiation was authorised.

(1) OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 16.

(2) http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/index_en.htm

(3) OJ C 187, 7.8.2003, p. 13.

(4) OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 24.

(5) OJ C 112, 12.5.2006, p. 6.

(6) Thermoluminescence derived from EN 1788 is used to detect irradiation.

(7) Other methods (e.g. electron paramagnetic resonance) are also used to detect irradiation.

(8) The sample of tea positive for irradiation was labelled as such, however irradiation of tea is not authorised in Hungary.