EN    EN  
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION 
Brussels, 25.2.2015  
COM(2015) 69 final 
  
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 
ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TR EATED WITH IONISING RADIATION 
FOR THE YEAR 2013 
 
 
2 
 REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 
AND THE COUNCIL 
ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENT S TREATED WITH IONISING 
RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2013 
1. I NTRODUCTION  
The current report, as requested by Artic le 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 f ood ingredients treate d with ionising 
radiation1 covers the period from 1 January  to 31 December 2013. It contains a 
compilation of the information forwar ded 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. L EGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND  
Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, requi res Member States to forward to the 
Commission every year: 
– the results of checks carried out in the i onising radiation facilities, in particular 
regarding the categor ies 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 treatme nt 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 ev ery year by the national supervisory 
authorities. 
Information on general aspects of food irradi ation is available on the website of the  
Commission’s Directorate-Genera l for Health and Consumers
2. 
                                                 
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 
 2.1. Irradiation facilities 
Food and food ingredients may be irradi ated 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 ingredient s 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 sour ces 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 facili ties in Member States is publicly 
available, as it was pub lished by the Commission3. 
2.2. Irradiated food and food ingredients 
The irradiation of dried aromatic herb s, spices and vegetable seasonings is 
authorised at EU level by Directive 1999/3/EC of the Euro pean Parliament 
and of the Council on the establishmen t of a Community list of food and 
food ingredients treated w ith ionising radiation4. In addition, seven Member 
States have notified to the Commission that they maintain national authorisations for certain food and f ood ingredients, in accordance with 
Article 4(4) of Directive 1999/2/EC. Th e list of national au thorisations has 
been published by the Commission
5. 
Any irradiated foodstuff containing one or more irradiated food ingredient 
must be labelled with the words “irra diated” or “treated  with ionising 
radiation”. If an irradiated product is us ed as an ingredie nt in a compound 
food, the same words shall accompany its designation in the list of ingredients. In the case of products so ld 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 de tect non-authorised products, several 
analytical methods have been standa rdised by the European Committee for 
Standardisation (CEN), following a mandate given by the Commission. 
                                                
 
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. 
 
4 
 3. R ESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT IN IRRADIATION FACILITIES AND DOSES 
ADMINISTERED  
This section of the report deals with th e results of the checks carried out in 
irradiation facilities, in pa rticular, regarding categorie s and quantities of products 
treated and doses administered. Accordi ng 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 facilitie s in Member States in 2013, in particular, regarding 
the categories and quantities of food and food ingredients tr eated and the doses 
administered. 
3.1. Summary for the EU 
The following table summarises the qua ntities of foodstuffs (in tonnes) 
treated by ionising radiation in the appr oved 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 f acilities within the European Union 
located in 13 Member States. No foods tuff was irradiated in 7 of the 25 
approved facilities. Only 9 out of 13 Me mber States irradiated foodstuffs in 
2013.  
 
5 
 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 categor ies 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 
 
6 
 3.4. Germany 
Foodstuffs Absorbed dose (kGy) 
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetables seasoning (dried) 5-10 
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) 9.31 
3.7. France  
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 
3.9. Netherlands 
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 
3.10. Poland 
Foodstuffs Absorbed dose (kGy) 
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 5 - 10 
4. R ESULTS 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 de tect treatment with ionising radiation. 
 
7 
 4.1. Summary for the EU 
The following table summarises the sa mples 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% 
5511 73 130 5713 100% Total 
EU 96,4% 1% 2% 100%  
NDS: No data submitted; NCP: No check performed 
 
8 
 The following histogram summarises the samples analysed and the results 
obtained per Member State: 
 
 
 
9 
 4.2. Belgium. Number of Samples: 123 
    Number of Samples: 123   
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed 
at product marketing 
stage Compliant Inconclusive Non-
Compliant CEN 
method used 
Fruit (dried) 5 0 0 EN 1788 
Mushrooms (fresh) 3 0 0 EN 1788 
Pasta products 7 6 1* EN 1788 Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 4 0 0 EN 1788 
Molluscs 20 0 0 EN 1788 Fish, 
crustaceans, 
shellfish and 
their products Shrimps 18 0 0 EN 1788 
Herbs and spices 
(frozen) 16 2 0 EN 1788 Herbs and 
spices 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 
4.3. Bulgaria. Number of Samples: 5 
    Number of Samples: 5   
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed 
at product marketing 
stage Compliant Inconclusive Non-
Compliant CEN 
method 
used 
Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 4 0 0 EN 1788 
Herbs and 
spices 
Tea 1 0 0 EN 1788 
Total: 5 0 0   
Total % of analysed samples: 100% 0% 0%   
 
10 
 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 
Garlic 3 0 0 EN 1788 
Instant noodles 1 0 0 EN 1788 Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit and their products Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products (dried) 3 0 0 EN 1788 
Aromatic herbs, 
spices and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 8 1 0 EN 1788 Herbs and spices 
Herbal teas / 
Infusions 2 0 0 EN 1788 
Food supplements 
(yucca powder)* 4 0 1 EN 1788 Other 
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 gi ven 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. 
4.6. Germany: Number of Samples: 2886 
  Number of Samples: 2886  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed 
at product marketing 
stage Compliant Inconclusive Non-
Compliant CEN 
method 
used 
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 Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their 
products 
Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 142 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 
 
11 
 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 
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, 
crustaceans, shellfish and 
their products 
Fish and seafood 
(dried) 14 0 0 EN 1786 
EN 1788 EN 13751 
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 Herbs and spices 
Tea 201 0 1* EN 1788 
EN 1787 EN 13751 
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 Meat and meat products 
Sausage products 30 0 0 EN 1784 
EN 1786 
Butter (with herbs) 6 0 0 EN 1786 
Cheese (containing 
spices/herbs) 41 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1787 Milk and milk products 
Milk and milk products 1 0 0 EN 1787 
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 
Other 33 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1786 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 
 
12 
 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 ioni sing 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-comp liant irradiated foodstuffs on their 
market. 
4.8. Ireland: Number of Samples: 91 
  Number of Samples: 91  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
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 Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products 
Tomato Powder 1 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 13751 
Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 1 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 13751 Herbs and spices 
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 
4.9. Greece: Number of Samples: 10 
  Number of Samples: 10  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 9 0 0 EN 13751 Herbs and spices 
Herbal teas / Infusions 1 0 0 EN 13751 
Total: 10 0 0   
Total % of analysed samples: 100% 0% 0%   
 
13 
 4.10. Spain: Number of Samples: 162 
  Number of Samples: 162  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
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 Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 
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 
Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning (dried) 45 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1787 EN 13751 
Herbs and spices 
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%   
4.11. France: Number of Samples: 174 
  Number of Samples: 174  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
Cereals, seed, vegetables and fruit 54 0 0 EN 1787 
Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their products 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 
Frog legs 10 0 0 EN 1786 Meat and meat 
products Meat and meat products 31 0 4* EN 1784 
Total: 167 0 7   
Total % of analysed samples: 96% 0% 4%   
* erroneously labelled 
4.12. Italy: Number of Samples: 553 
  Number of Samples: 553  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
Cereals 2 2 0 EN 1788 
EN 13751 Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit and their products 
Fruit (dried) 8 0 0 EN 13708 
EN 13784 
EN 1787 
 
14 
 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 
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 Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and their 
products 
Surimi 0 2 0 EN 1788 
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 Herbs and spices 
Tea 13 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 
Frog legs 14 0 2 EN 1786 
EN 13751 
Meat (except poultry and 
game) 36 0 0 EN 1786 
EN 13784 Meat and meat 
products 
Poultry meat 39 0 0 EN 1786 
EN 13784 
Meals and dishes (prepared) 0 1 0 EN 1788 
Other Sauces and soups 
(dehydrated) 1 0 0 EN 13751 
 Total: 535 10 8   
Total % of analysed samples: 97% 2% 1%   
 
15 
 * 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 ioni sing radiation, no 
checks were carried out at product ma rketing stage in Cyprus in 2013.  
4.14. Latvia: Number of Samples: 13 
    Number of Samples: 13   
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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 
4.15. Lithuania: Number of Samples: 97 
    Number of Samples: 97   
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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 
4.16. Luxembourg: Number of Samples: 20 
    Number of Samples: 20  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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 
 
16 
 4.17. Hungary: Number of Samples: 81 
    Number of Samples: 81   
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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%   
4.20. Netherlands: Number of Samples: 360 
    Number of Samples: 360  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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 
Food for particular nutritional uses 3 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 13751 
Food supplements 83 0 11** EN 1788 
EN 13751 Other 
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 
4.21. Austria: Number of Samples: 72 
    Number of Samples: 72   
Foodstuff category Foodstuffs anal
ysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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 
 
17 
 4.22. Poland: Number of Samples: 308 
    Number of Samples: 308  
Foodstuffs 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
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 Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their products 
Vegetables (fresh) 1 0 0 EN 1788 
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 Fish, crustaceans 
shellfish and their 
products 
Shrimps 4 0 0 EN 13751 
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 Herbs and spices 
Vegetables and vegetable 
products (dried) 2 0 0 EN 1788 
Meat 9 0 0 EN 1784 
EN 1786 
Meat (except poultry and game) 5 0 0 EN 1784 
EN 1786 
Meat from diff erent birds, 
kangaroo, hare) 5 0 0 EN 1784 
EN 1786 Meat and meat products 
Poultry meat 5 0 0 EN 1784 
EN 1786 
 
18 
 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 
Milk and milk products 3 0 0 EN 1788 
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 Other 
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 
4.23. Portugal: Number of Samples: 23 
    Number of Samples: 23  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 6 0 0 EN 13751 Herbs and spices 
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 
4.24. Romania: Number of Samples: 208 
    Number of Samples: 208  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
Fruit (dried) 1 0 0 EN 13751 
Seeds 13 0 0 EN 13751 Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit 
and their products Vegetables and vegetable 
products (dried) 3 0 0 EN 13751 
 
19 
 Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 133 4 3* EN 1788 
EN 13751 
Herbal teas / Infusions 22 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 13751 Herbs and spices 
Tea 5 0 0 EN 13751 
Food for particular 
nutritional uses 2 0 0 EN 13751 
Other 
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 
4.25. Slovenia: Number of Samples: 28 
    Number of Samples: 28  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
Berries 5 0 0 EN 1787 
EN 13751 Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit 
and their products Garlic 5 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1786 EN 13751 
Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 5 0 0 EN 1787 
EN 13751 Herbs and spices 
Tea 5 0 0 EN 13751 
en 1787 
Chicken broth 1 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1786 EN 13751 
Meat and meat products 2 0 0 EN 1788 
EN 1786 
EN 13751 Meat and meat products 
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%   
4.26. Slovakia: Number of Samples: 21 
    Number of Samples: 21  
Foodstuffs 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
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%   
 
20 
 4.27. Finland: Number of Samples: 272 
    Number of Samples: 272   
Foodstuffs 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
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 Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit and their products 
Vegetables and vegetable 
products (dried) 30 0 0 EN 13751 
Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning (dried) 111 1 2** EN 13751 
Herbal teas / Infusions 7 0 0 EN 13751 Herbs and spices 
Tea 19 0 1* EN 13751 
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 Other 
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.  
4.29. United Kingdom: Number of Samples: 176 
    Number of Samples: 176  
Foodstuff 
category Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stageCompliant InconclusiveNon-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
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 Cereals, seed, vegetables, fruit 
and their products 
Rice Crackers 1 0 0 EN 13751 
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 Herbs and spices 
Tea 2 0 0 EN 13751 
 
21 
 Coffee 1 0 0 EN 13751 
Food supplements 11 4 1* EN 1788 
EN 13751 Other 
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 
 
22 
 5. S UMMARY  
The current report covers the period fr om 1 January  to 31 December 2013. It 
contains a compilation of the informa tion forwarded to the Commission by 
26 Member States. Malta and Croa tia 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 i rradiation 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 ionisi ng irradiation in 
EU Member States, 84% of which were irra diated 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 qua ntity 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 St ates 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 th e 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 contro lling food products 
at marketing stage. 5511 sa mples (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 previ ous 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. 
 
23 
 6. C ORRIGENDUM 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 Spai n, is replaced by the following: 
4.10. Spain 
Number of Samples: 141 Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage Compliant Inconclusive Non-
Compliant CEN method 
used 
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%