WRITTEN QUESTION E-1380/02 by Paul Lannoye (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Importing of foodstuffs and food ingredients from third countries.
Date: 2002-05-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Committee for Standardisation, approximation of laws, foodstuff, health legislation, import, irradiation, originating product, third country

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/195

(cid:1) A harmonised standard on the ‘in-situ’ measurement of exposure levels. This standard, for which the
technical work is to be completed before the end of 2002, will provide for a harmonised method to
measure real-life exposure in the field. Its main use will be for public authorities to provide an
accurate response to citizens who are concerned about levels of exposure in their houses, workplaces
etc.

(cid:1) The attention of the Honourable Member is further drawn to the request of the Commission to the
Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Eco-toxicity and the Environment to provide an opinion on the
matter in which it confirmed the limits recommended by the Council. The text of that opinion is
available on the Europa website (3).

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(3)

Implementation Report on the Council Recommendation limiting the public exposure to electromagnetic fields
(0 Hz to 300 GHz) see http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/outcome_en.html.

(2002/C 277 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1380/02

by Paul Lannoye (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Subject: Importing of foodstuffs and food ingredients from third countries

Article 9 of Directive 1999/2/EC (1) states inter alia that a foodstuff treated with ionising radiation may not
be imported from a third country unless it was treated in an irradiation facility approved by the
Community and appearing on a list drawn up by the Commission.

Can the Commission provide the list of these facilities?

Also, Brazil allows irradiation of almost all foodstuffs, including fruit. Irradiation of oranges is allowed
there to increase the length of time during which they can be stored before being sold. In addition, fruit
juices, fruit juice concentrates and fruit pulp can be irradiated to check for bacterial contamination.

In view of the fact that many types of orange juice present on the European market are reconstituted from
concentrates and pulp from Brazil and that it is difficult, if not impossible, to detect whether a fruit juice
has been irradiated, how can one be sure that the fruit juices present on EU markets have not undergone
such treatment?

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

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2002)

According to Article 9(1), third indent, of Directive 1999/2/EC of the Parliament and the Council on the
approximation of the laws of Member States concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionising
radiation, irradiated food may not be imported from a third country unless it was treated in an irradiation
facility approved by the Community. So far, irradiation facilities in South Africa and Hungary have applied
for approval. The Food and Veterinary Office of the Commission has inspected the facilities and examined
the control capacity of the competent authorities in these countries. The reports are available on the
following web site of Directorate General (DG) Health and Consumer Protection of the Commission: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/fi/reports/index_en.html

After appropriate follow-up by the facilities and competent authorities to the recommendations of the
Food and Veterinary Office, the Commission will propose formal approval of the facilities.

C 277 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

According to information available to the Commission, oranges, either raw or in any kind of processed
form, are not irradiated neither in Brazil nor in any other country. Orange juice and orange concentrates
need to be shipped for export at − 5 °C in order to avoid that they turn sour. Irradiation would only be an
advantage if cold storage could be avoided.

The Commission would welcome any relevant information on the irradiation of oranges in third countries,
if available.

In accordance with Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, the Commission has given a mandate to the
European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) to standardise detection methods for irradiated foods. So
far, CEN has standardised eight methods. Information on the methods is available on the following web
site of DG Health and Consumer Protection of the Commission: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sfp/
sfp_index_en.html.

Some of the methods standardised by CEN may be applicable, e.g. EN 13784 and possibly EN 1788 for
oranges, EN 1787 for orange juice and EN 13783 for all orange products. However, at this stage, scientific
proof of their reliability is not available.

(2002/C 277 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1381/02

by Paul Lannoye (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Subject: Authorisations for treatment with ionising radiation of foodstuffs and food ingredients granted by

Belgium

In accordance with Article 4(6) of Directive 1999/2/EC (1) 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, the ‘List of Member States’ authorisations of food and food
ingredients which may be treated with ionising radiation’ was published in OJ C 43 of 16 February 2002,
p. 18.

In the case of Belgium this list does not correspond to the authorisations for treatment with ionising
radiation provided for by the ministerial decree of 16 July 1980 (and subsequent amendments thereto),
which, in addition to the authorisations referred to in OJ C 43/18, allow treatment with ionising radiation
of:

(cid:1) strawberries;

(cid:1) gum arabic;

(cid:1) certain dehydrated and dried vegetables;

(cid:1) cooked, peeled and deep-frozen prawns;

(cid:1) mechanically boned chicken meat and;

(cid:1) egg white.

How does the Commission explain these discrepancies? What steps does the Commission intend to take to
guarantee the reliability of information provided by the Member States regarding authorisations concerning
treatment with ionising radiation of foodstuffs and food ingredients?

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