EN Official Journal of the European Union C 282/3

Report from the Commission on food irradiation for the year 2006

(2008/C 282/04)

SUMMARY

Under 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), the Member States have to forward to the Commission every year:

— the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of products treated and the dose administered, and

— the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect irradiated foods.

In 2006, irradiation facilities had approval in 10 Member States. All these Member States provided the information required with respect to food categories treated, quantities or doses. In the European Union 15 058 tonnes of food were irradiated during 2006.

18 Member States reported checks on foods placed on the market. In total, 6 386 food samples were checked in 2006. 3,3 % of products on the market were found to be illegally irradiated and/or not labelled.

The infringements are unevenly distributed over product categories. The category of products for which relatively most incompliance have been found are food supplements (in Germany, Finland and the United Kingdom) and soups and sauces (Germany). The number of non-compliants samples in the category ‘Asian noodle snacks’ found in Germany has significantly decreased (from 37 % in 2005 to 5 % in 2006).

Differences between Member States regarding the results of controls can partly be explained by the choice of samples and the performance of the analytical methods used.

1. LEGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND

Under Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, the Member States are required to forward to the Commission every year:

— the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of products treated and the dose administered, and

— the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect irradiated foods.

The Commission publishes the results in annual reports in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This report covers the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006.

Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumers (2).

1.1. Irradiation facilities

Under Article 3(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC, food may be irradiated only in approved irradiation facilities. For facilities in the EU, approval is given by the competent authorities of the Member States (2). The Member States have to inform the Commission of their approved irradiation facilities (Article 7(1)).

The list of authorised facilities in the Member States has been published by the Commission (3).

1.2. Irradiated foods

The irradiation of dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings is authorised in the EU (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, 7 Member States have notified that they maintain national authorisations for certain foods in accordance with Article 4(4) of Directive 1999/2/EC. The list of national authorisations has been published by the Commission (5).

Under Article 6 of Directive 1999/2/EC, any irradiated food or any irradiated food ingredient of a compound food must be labelled with the words ‘irradiated’ or ‘treated with ionising radiation’.

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

Details of the facilities in the Member states can be found at the Commission website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/approved_facilities_en.pdf

The Member States submitted the following information:

2.1. Belgium

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 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 foods irradiated in this facility in 2006.

Food Amount (t) Frog legs 2 784,3 Fish and shellfish 504,4 Herbs and spices 433,2 Poultry 295,5 Meat 224,6 Eggs poudre 167,2 Vegetables 73,2 Dehydrated blood 30,0 Gum Arabic 17,7 Dried fruits 1,1 Others 949,4 Total 5 480,6

2.2. Czech Republic

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility Artim spol.s.r.o. with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2006.

Food Amount (t) Overall average absorbed radiation dose (kGy) Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 79,5 5-10 Total 79,5

2.3. Germany

During the reporting period, there were five approved irradiation facilities in Germany:

(a) Gamma Service Produktbestrahlung GmbH, Radeberg

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2006.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices and herbs 168,7 <10 Dried vegetables 69,3 <10 Total 238,0

71,3 tonnes of the foodstuffs irradiated were exported to third countries.

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

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation in the two facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in these facilities in 2006.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices and herbs 4,5 4-10 Fresh vegetables 3,4 6-10 Dried vegetables 9,9 6-9 Total 17,8

All foodstuffs irradiated were exported to third countries.

(c) Isotron Deutschland GmbH, Allershausen

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2006.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices and herbs 64,3 5-10 Vegetables 18,9 10 Total 83,2

All foodstuffs irradiated were exported to third countries.

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

No food products were irradiated in this facility in 2006.

2.4. Spain

In Spain, there are two facilities approved for the irradiation of foods.

(a) Ionmed Esterilización, SA

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2006.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 290,6 <10

(b) Aragogamma, SA

No food products were irradiated in this facility in 2006.

2.5. France

In France, there are six facilities approved for the irradiation of foods. Inspections by the competent authorities in 2006 confirmed the compliance of 4 irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC. On two facilities comments were given concerning registration, the status of the products before treatment and the measurement of the irradiation doses.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the facilities in 2006.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Herbs, spices and dried vegetables 110 10 Gum arabic 149 3 Poultry 1 780 5 Frozen frog legs 965 5 Total 3 004

2.6. Hungary

According to the official inspection made by the competent authority in 2006, 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 2006.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices, spice peppers 36,3 4-8 Dehydrated products 13,6 3-6 Herbs 75,0 3-8 Total 124,9

2.7. Italy

In Italy, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods. The Competent authority confirmed compliance of the facility Gammarad Italia SpA.

The following table shows the category and quantities of foods irradiated in 2006 in that facility.

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dried aromatic herbs and vegetable condiments 2,4 9 Total 2,4

2.8. The Netherlands

During 2006, Isotron NL treated the following products in their two production facilities in the cities of Ede and Etten-Leur. The numbers correspond to the number of boards, which have an average weight of 800 kg and an average volume of 2 m3. The item ‘Food’ concerns products which are allowed to be irradiated in the country of destination.

No of boards in Ede No of boards in Etten-Leur Spices/Herbs 1 175 242 Dehydrated vegetables 404 1 691 Poultry meat (frozen) 217 5 Shrimps (cooled) 36 Shrimps (frozen) 65 0 Frog parts 216 84 Egg white (cooled) 160 0 Food (6) 670 1 353 Samples food 47 2 Total 3 023 3 377

The total number of boards treated in The Netherlands in 2006 was: 3 023 + 3 377 = 6 400; this corresponds to 5 120 tonnes of food products.

2.9. Poland

In Poland, there are two facilities approved for the irradiation of foods.

The following tables show the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in 2006 in these facilities.

Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Dry spices, dried flavoured herbs, vegetable spices 616,7 5-10

Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz

Food Quantity (t) Average absorbed dose (kGy) Spices 0,45 7-10 Total 0,45

2.10. 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 2006.

2.11. Summary for the EU

10 Member States have facilities approved in accordance with Article 7(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC.

Nine Member States forwarded to the Commission the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, with the amounts of foods irradiated.

3. RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT AT THE PRODUCT MARKETING STAGE AND THE METHODS USED TO DETECT IRRADIATED FOODS

The Member States submitted the following information:

3.1. Austria

138 samples were checked for ionising radiation treatment. None were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 138 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Basil 3 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Oregano 10 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Marjoram 4 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Paprika 10 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Pepper 14 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Rosemary 3 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Thyme 5 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Herbal tea 51 0 EN 1788/EN 13751 Chicken 19 0 EN 1786 Turkey 6 0 EN 1786 Duck 10 0 EN 1786 Goose 3 0 EN 1786 Total 138 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100 0

3.2. Belgium

In total, 100 samples were analysed. One was found to be irradiated.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 100 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled (origin) Spices 9 0 EN 1788 Dried fruit and vegetables 21 0 EN 1788 Fresh strawberries 11 0 EN 1788 Food supplements 17 1 Shrimps 22 0 EN 1788 Crustaceans and molluscs 19 0 EN 1788 Total 99 1 Total in % of analysed samples 99 1

3.3. Cyprus

In 2006, no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage.

3.4. Czech Republic

In total, 115 samples were analysed. 4 samples were positive for irradiation and were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 115 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Spices 22 0 EN 1788 Herbal tea products 13 1 EN 1788 Food supplements 7 2 (7) EN 1788 Instant noodles 9 1 (8) EN 1788 Fresh fruits 30 0 EN 1788/EN 1785 Poultry 15 0 EN 1785 Fish and shellfish 12 0 EN 1785 Shrimps 3 0 EN 1785 Total 111 4 Total in % of analysed samples 96,5 3,5

3.5. Germany

In total 4 137 food samples were examined of which 71 were irradiated of which 5 were compliant and 66, i.e. 1,6 %, were not compliant:

— 23 samples belong to foodstuffs for which irradiation is authorised however they were incorrectly labelled,

— 41 samples belong to food categories for which irradiation is not authorised and in addition were not labelled,

— 2 samples were labelled to be irradiated, however irradiation is not authorised.

The categories with the highest percentages of non-compliant samples were food supplements (11 %) and soups and sauces (9 %). The number of non-compliant samples in the category ‘Asian noodle snacks, party snacks, pizza, TV snacks’ has significantly decreased (from 37 % in 2005 to 5 % in 2006).

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 4 137 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, but irradiation unauthorised and/or not correctly labelled Milk/milk products 41 0 EN 1375; EN 1784; EN 1785; EN 1787; EN 1788 Cheese with herbs 58 0 EN 1787; EN 1788; EN 1788 mod.; EN 13751 Butter with herbs 29 0 EN 1787; EN 1788 Eggs, egg products 6 0 EN 1784 Meat (including frozen meat, except poultry, game) 18 0 EN 1784; EN 1786 Meat products (except sausages) 39 0 EN 1784; EN 1786 Sausages 58 0 EN 1784; EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Poultry 141 0 EN 1784 mod.; EN 1786 Game 12 0 EN 1784; EN 1786 Fish and fisheries products 140 0 L 00.00 41 ESR; EN 1784 mod., EN 1786; EN 1788 Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals including their products 258 4 EN 1786; ASU analog § 64 LFGB L 12.01; EN 13751; § 64 LFGB L 53.00-3, L 00.00-42 Pulses 47 0 EN 1787, EN 1788 Soups, sauces 175 18 EN 1375, EN 1784; EN 1785; EN 1787; EN 1788; PSL, EN 13751 Cereals and ceral products 34 0 EN 13708; § 64 L 00.00-43, EN 1787; EN 1788 Oil seeds 52 0 EN 1784; EN 1788 Nuts 102 0 EN 1375; EN 1784; EN 1784 mod.; EN 1787; EN 1788 Potatoes, parts of plants with high content of starch 56 0 EN 13751; EN 1788 Fresh vegetables, salad 72 0 EN 13708; EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788 Dried vegetables, vegetable products 78 2 EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788 Mushrooms, fresh 18 0 EN 1788; EN 1375 Mushrooms, dried or mushroom products 199 5 EN 13708; EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788 Fresh fruits 109 0 EN 1787; EN 1788; EN 1784 Dried fruits or fruit products 200 0 EN 13708; EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788 Cacao powder 11 0 Kaffee, raw 5 EN 13751, EN 1788 Teas, tea-like products 431 3 EN 13708; EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788, § 64 L 00.00-43 Ready-to-serve meals 21 0 EN 13751; EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Spices, including preparations and seasoning salt 1 339 16 EN 13751; EN 1784; EN 1787; EN 1788 PSL, § 64 L 00.00-43 Herbs 84 0 EN 13751, EN 1787, EN 1788 Dry prepared meals 43 1 EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788, § 64 L 00.00-43 Asian noodle snacks, party snacks, pizza, TV snacks 82 4 EN 1788; PSL Food supplements 87 11 EN 13751; EN 13708, EN 1787; EN 1788; § 64 L 00.00-43 Other 21 1 EN 13751; EN 1787; EN 1788 Total 4 066 66 Total in % of analysed samples 98,4 1,6

5 samples were irradiated and compliant with the EU Directives: 2 samples belonging to the category ‘Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals including their products’ and 3 samples belonging to the category ‘Soups and sauces’.

3.6. Denmark

In 2006 no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage.

3.7. Estonia

In total, 10 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 10 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Spices 5 0 PSL, EN 13751 Tea 5 0 PSL, EN 13751 Total 10 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100 0

3.8. Greece

In total, 3 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 3 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated Herbs and spices 2 0 EN 13751 (PSL) Tea 1 0 EN 13751 (PSL) Total 3 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100 0

3.9. Spain

In 2006, no analytical controls were carried out regarding food irradiation at the marketing stage.

3.10. Finland

In total, 246 samples were analysed. A total of 158 samples of dried spices and herbs were analysed of which 19 samples were found to contain irradiated material. Out of the 77 food supplements analyzed, and 10 contained irradiated material. Of the 11 samples of seafood products, 1 contained irradiated material.

None of the irradiated products were adequately labelled and the irradiation facilities where they were treated were not EU approved.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 246 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Dried spices and herbs 139 19 EN 13751; EN 1788 Food supplements 67 10 EN 13751; EN 1788 Seafood products 10 1 Total 216 30 Total in % of analysed samples 88 12

3.11. France

In total, 216 samples were analysed and 32 samples tested positive for irradiation and were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 216 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated Frozen snail meat 2 0 EN 1788 Dried mushrooms 71 0 EN 1788 Vegetable based food supplements 11 5 EN 1788 Crustaceans and shellfish 45 24 EN 1788 Frogs legs 3 2 EN 1788 Dried fruit 1 0 EN 1788 Spices and herbs 16 0 EN 1788 Dried vegetables and derivates 13 0 EN 1788 Small red fruit and other berries 4 0 EN 1788 Dehydrated asian noodle snacks 14 1 EN 1788 Shrimps 10 0 EN 1788 Dried, grated coconut pulp 3 0 EN 1788 Tea and infusions 1 0 EN 1788 Total 184 32 Total in % of analysed samples 85 15

Of the 24 non-compliant crustaceans and shellfish samples, 22 concerned shrimp tail samples taken form at the same company.

3.12. Hungary

In total, 104 samples were analysed and 2 samples tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 104 Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Spices 80 1 Tea 23 0 Food supplements 1 1 Total 102 2 Total in % of analysed samples 98 2

3.13. Ireland

In 2006, 452 samples were analysed. 13 samples tested positive for irradiation but were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 452 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Noodles 107 1 EN 13751 for screening, confirmation by EN 1788 Sauces & soups 10 0 Seasonings/Stocks 38 3 Herbs & spices 220 8 Coffee and tea (including herbal teas) 43 0 Seeds 13 0 Cereal, bakery and yeast 8 0 Food supplements/vitamins 9 1 Fruit and vegetables 1 0 Miscellaneous 3 0 Total 439 13 Total in % of total analysed 97 % 3 %

3.14. Italy

In total, 66 samples were analysed and none were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 66 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Spices, herbs and vegetable extracts 66 0 EN 13784 Total 66 0 Total in % of analysed samples 66 0

3.15. Latvia

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out at the marketplace.

3.16. Lithuania

In total, 30 samples were analysed and 1 sample tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 30 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated Spices and herbs 7 0 LST EN 13783:2004 Tea 22 1 LST EN 13783:2004 Total 29 1 Total in % of analysed samples 100 3

3.17. Luxembourg

In total, 20 samples were analysed and none were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 20 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated Spices 15 0 EN 1788 Dried fruit 1 0 EN 1788 Tea 4 0 EN 1788 Total 20 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100 0

3.18. Malta

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out at the marketplace.

3.19. The Netherlands

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out at the marketplace.

3.20. Poland

In total, 139 samples were analysed and 2 of these tested positive for irradiation and neither were correctly labelled.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 139 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 51 2 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Potatoes 3 0 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Onion and garlic 21 0 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Poultry 1 0 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Unshelled nuts 34 0 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Prawns, fish 22 0 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Fresh fruits 7 0 EN 1786; EN 1787; EN 1788 Total 137 2 Total in % of analysed samples 99 1

3.21. Portugal

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out at the marketplace.

3.22. Sweden

During the year 2006, 8 samples of mainly poultry meat were analysed according to CEN method EN 1784; none were irradiated.

3.23. Slovakia

In total, 37 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 37 Method used Result: non-irradiated Result: irradiated Pistachio, different kind of nuts 18 0 GC Cheese 17 0 GC Duck 2 0 GC Total 37 0 Total in % of analysed samples 100 0

3.24. Slovenia

During the year 2006, 40 samples were analysed and 3 food supplement samples were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed Number of analysed samples: 40 CEN method used Result: non-irradiated Result: inconclusive Result: irradiated Spices and herbs 10 0 0 EN 13751 Food supplements 8 4 3 EN 1788; EN 13751 Dried soup mixes 10 5 0 EN 1788; EN 13751 Total 28 9 3 Total in % of analysed samples 70 22,5 7,56

3.25. The United Kingdom

The Food Standards Agency is aware of 530 products that were sampled by United Kingdom local enforcement authorities in 2006 and analysed using standardised detection tests for irradiated food. Of these 530 samples, 49 (nine percent) 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 analysed samples: 530 Method used Result: non-irradiated Result: inconclusive Result: irradiated Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings 253 22 20 EN 13751; EN 1778 Cous Cous and dried seasonings 3 0 0 Dried soup mixes 10 2 0 Noodles and dried seasonings 64 6 7 Rice and dried seasonings 3 1 0 Pasta and dried seasonings 2 0 0 Sauces (liquid/frozen) 14 1 Dried fruit 5 0 0 Vegetables including onions 9 0 0 Teas 11 1 6 Oil 4 0 0 Fish/seafood i.e. shellfish, prawns 4 0 0 Food supplements 52 9 16 Miscellaneous 5 0 0 Total 439 42 49 Total in % of analysed samples 83 8 9

3.26. Summary for the EU

The following table summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained for the EU as a whole.

Member State Number of samples non-irradiated Number of samples irradiated % of samples irradiated, not correctly labelled AT 138 0 0 BE 99 1 1 CY NAC NAC NAC CZ 111 4 3,5 DE 4 066 71 1,6 DK NAC NAC NAC EE 10 0 0 EL 3 0 0 ES NAC NAC NAC FI 216 30 12 FR 184 32 15 HU 102 2 2 IE 439 13 3 IT 66 0 0 LV NI NI NI LT 29 1 3 LU 20 0 0 MT NI NI NI NL NI NI NI PL 137 2 1 PT NI NI NI SE 8 0 0 SK 37 0 0 SI 28 (9) 3 8 UK 439 (9) 49 9 Total 6 134 203 3,3 NI : No information has been forwarded by the Member State. NAC : No analytical checks were performed in 2006.

4. CONCLUSIONS

4.1. Results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities

Directive 1999/2/EC requires the Member States to forward to the Commission the results of checks in irradiation facilities, the categories and quantities of foods irradiated and the doses applied.

In 2006, irradiation facilities had approval in 10 Member States.

All 10 Member States provided the information requested with respect to the food categories treated.

In the European Union, 15 058 tonnes of food were irradiated during 2006.

4.2. Results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage

In 2006, 18 Member States performed analytical checks and submitted the requested data. Three Member States informed the Commission that they did not perform analytical checks during the period covered by the present report.

The information submitted shows that during 2006, 3,3 % of samples were illegally irradiated and/or not correctly labelled.

The infringements are unevenly distributed over product categories. In general, the most non-compliant products found to be on the market were food supplements (detected in Germany, Finland and the UK) and soups and sauces (detected in Germany). The number of irradiated ‘Asian noodle snacks’ found in Germany has significantly decreased (from 37 % in 2005 to 5 % in 2006).

The Commission expects Member States to continue to focus controls on these products and that Member States will take the appropriate measures.

Differences between Member States regarding the results of controls could partly be explained by the choice of the samples and the performance of the analytical methods used.

4.3. Deadline for the submission of the results of checks for the 2007 report

The deadline for submitting to the Commission the results of checks performed in 2007, as required under Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, is 30 June 2008.

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

(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/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) Products intended for exports to third countries.

(7) Dried pressed herb.

(8) Irradiated spice mixture.

(9) Slovenia and the United Kingdom classified respectively 9 and 42 samples as inconclusive.