Report from the Commission on food irradiation for the year 2002
Date: 2004-02-25
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, data collection, exchange of information, food inspection, foodstuff, irradiation

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 25.2.2004 
COM(2004) 69 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 

ON FOOD IRRADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2002  

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
  
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 

ON FOOD IRRADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2002  

SUMMARY 

According  to  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, the Member States shall 
forward to the Commission every year 

– 

– 

the results of checks carried out in the 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 2002, irradiation facilities had approval in seven Member States, but some Member States 
did not provide all the information requested with respect to food categories treated, quantities 
or doses. 

As in 2001, eight Member States performed checks on foods placed on the market, whereas 
seven did not perform analytical checks during the period covered. In total, about 5000 food 
samples  have  been  checked  in  2002.  Again  the  number  of  samples  analysed  differs  widely 
from one to another Member State. About 1.4 % of products (without dietary supplements) on 
the market were found to be irradiated and not labelled. These products are herbs and spices 
or  compound  foods  containing  herbs  and  spices,  frog  legs,  aquatic  animal  products, 
mushrooms, fresh fruits, tea, coffee, sauces and similar products. In 2002, four Member States 
(United  Kingdom,  Ireland,  Germany  and  The  Netherlands)  performed  checks  on  dietary 
supplements and still found that 29.4 % of the products checked had been irradiated. As the 
treatment  of  these  products  by ionising  radiation  is  not  allowed  in  the  EU,  the  Commission 
expects that the numbers of checks of these products are increased in all Member States and 
that irradiated dietary supplements are withdrawn from the EU market. 

On the basis of the available information, the Commission concludes that overall the situation 
has not changed compared to 2001. Also, the number of Member States carrying out controls 
has not increased, except for dietary supplements. 

1. 

LEGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND 

According  to  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  radiation1  the  Member  States 
shall forward to the Commission every year : 

1 

OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 16. 

2 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
the  results  of  checks  carried  out  in  the  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  has  to  publish  the  results  in  annual  reports  in  the  Official  Journal  of  the 
European Union. 

This report covers the period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002.  

Information on general aspects of food irradiation, on EU legislation, national authorisations, 
approved irradiation facilities in the Member States and third countries, competent authorities 
as well as on standardised analytical methods for the detection of irradiated foods is available 
on the web site of the Directorate-General Health and Consumer Protection of the European 
Commission2. 

1.1. 

Irradiation facilities 

According to Article 3 (2) of  Directive  1999/2/EC  food  may  only be irradiated in approved 
irradiation  facilities.  In  order  to  obtain  approval,  the  facilities  have  to  comply  with  the 
requirements  of  the  Joint  FAO/WHO  Codex  Alimentarius  Commission  Recommended 
International Code of Practice for the operation of irradiation facilities used for the treatment 
of  foods.  For  facilities  in  the  EU,  approval  is  given  by  the  competent  authorities  of  the 
Member  States2.  The  Member  States  have  to  inform  the  Commission  about  their  approved 
irradiation facilities (Article 7 (1)). 

The list of authorised facilities in the Member States has been published by the Commission3. 

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 
radiation4). In addition, five Member States 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 Commission5. 

According  to  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”. 

For  the  enforcement  of  the  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 
3 
4 
5 

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sfp/fi_index_en.html 
OJ C 187, 7.8.2003, p. 13. 
OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 6. 
OJ C 56, 11.3.2003, p. 5 

3 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
2. 

RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT IN THE IRRADIATION FACILITIES 

The Member States submitted the following information: 

2.1. 

Belgium 

The Belgian competent Authority approved the irradiation plant IBA Mediris S.A. in Fleurus 
on  28  May  2003,  according  to  Directive  1999/2/EC.  No  inspection  has  been  performed  in 
2002. 

The following table provides the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the company 
IBA Mediris in 2002. 

No information regarding the doses has been submitted. 

Food 

Amount (t) 

Spices, seasonings  

Dehydrated vegetables 

Cheese 

Fish 

Grilled onions  

Frozen vegetables  

Frozen seafood  

Frozen poultry 

Frozen meat 

570.1 

20.8 

216.2 

177.6 

8.5 

223.6 

768.3 

130.7 

303.8 

Frozen frog’s legs  

2873.7 

Herbal tea 

Proteins  

Dried fruits  

Meat  

Poultry 

Other frozen products  

Eggs  

Starch 
Other products6 

Papain 

Total 

6 

No detailed information has been provided 

62.2 

54.5 

65 

1.4 

0.9 

156.2 

122.5 

76.8 

773.9 

6.3 

6613 

4 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
2.2. 

Germany 

a) Gamma Service Produktbestrahlung GmbH, Radeberg 

An  inspection  by  the  competent  authority  of  the  Bundesland  Sachsen  in  2002  confirmed 
compliance with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC. 

The following table provides the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the company 
Gamma Service, with the overall average absorbed doses. 

Food 

Amount (t)  Overall average absorbed 

radiation dose (kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs and spices  

Vegetables and vegetable powder7 

Herbal tea8 

Oil seeds (poppy, sesame, linseed) 9 

Total 

334 

28 

126 

6.4 

494.4 

5 - 9 

7 - 87 

6-9 

7-8 

b) Isotron Deutschland GmbH, Allershausen10 

An inspection by the competent authority of the Bundesland Bayern has been carried out on 
26 November 2002.  

The following table provides the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the company 
Isotron Deutschland GmbH. 

Food 

Amount (t) 

Overall average absorbed 
radiation dose (kGy) 

Spices 

Herbs 

Total 

97.2 

203.7 

300.9 

9.2 

9.2 

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

No food has been irradiated in the facility in 2002. 

7 
8 
9 
10 

Vegetables were exported to Poland and vegetable powder to Rusia  
Products were exported to Poland. 
Sesame and poppy seeds were exported to Croatia and linseeds to Poland. 
Former company name: Gammamaster Deutschland GmbH 

5 

 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                 
2.3. 

Denmark 

During  2002,  the  Danish  Veterinary  and  Food  Administration  (DVFA)  approved  the 
irradiation facility LR Plast for irradiation of dried aromatic herbs and spices in accordance 
with Article 7 (2) of Directive 1999/2/EC.  

No food has been irradiated in the facility in 2002. 

2.4. 

Spain 

No information has been submitted. 

2.5. 

France 

All  approved  irradiation  facilities  have  been  inspected  in  2002.  They  complied  with  the 
provisions of Directive 1999/2/EC. 

The  following  table  provides  the  categories  and  quantities  of  foods  irradiated  in  France  in 
2002, with the overall average absorbed doses. 

Food 

Amount (t)  Overall average absorbed 

radiation dose (kGy) 

Spices,  aromatic  herbs,  dehydrated 
vegetables 

Deep frozen aromatic herbs 

Dried fruits 

Gum arabic  

Mechanically 
meat, meat and offal of chicken  

recovered  chicken 

Frozen frog legs 

Total 

2.6. 

The Netherlands 

1265 

10 

14 

146 

2812 

882 

5129 

10 

10 

1 

3 

5 

5 

The  following  table  provides  the  categories  and  quantities  of  foods  irradiated  in  the  two 
production facilities in the period from 1 October 2001 until 30 September 2002.  

No information regarding the doses has been submitted. 

6 

 
 
  
 
 
Food 

Spices, herbs 

Dehydrated vegetables 

Dried fruits 

Poultry meat (frozen) 

Shrimps (frozen)  

Frog parts 

Egg whites (cooled)  

Food12  

Total 

Amount 
(t)11 

1705.6 

2402.4 

117.6 

914.4 

136.8 

373.6 

625.61 

838.4 

7114.4 

2.7. 

The United Kingdom 

The company Isotron plc is licensed to irradiate certain herbs and spices. An inspection by the 
competent  authority  confirmed  compliance  with  the  licence  and  with  the  requirements  of 
Directive 1999/2/EC. 

No food has been irradiated in the facility in 2002. 

2.8. 

The  following  countries  have  no  approved  food  irradiation  facilities:  Austria, 
Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden.  

2.9. 

Summary for the EU 

The exact amount of foods irradiated in the EU during the period covered is not known due to 
incomplete  reporting.  Available  reports  account  for  approximately  20  000  t.  Part  of  this 
amount has been irradiated for export. The Directive does not require breakdown between the 
portion which is placed on the Internal Market and that which is exported. 

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 

60 food samples were examined. None of them were found to be irradiated. 

11 
12 

The amounts have been reported as “boards” with an average weight per board of 800 kg 
Products intended for export to third countries 

7 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
Food analysed 

Number of analysed samples 

CEN method 
used 

Result: 
non-irradiated 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not correctly 
labelled 

Spices 

Poultry (duck, pheasant, 
goose, chicken, turkey) 

Mushrooms  

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

15 

44 

1 

60 

100 

EN 1788 

EN 1786 

EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3.2. 

Belgium 

In 2002, no analytical checks have been performed in Belgium. 

3.3. 

Germany 

About 3350 food samples were examined of which 26 (0.8 %) were found to be irradiated but 
not  labelled.  These  results  are  similar  to  the  results  in  2001.  A  high  portion  of  food 
supplements has been found to be irradiated (18 %), although the treatment is not authorised. 

Food analysed 

Number of analysed samples 

CEN method 
used 

Result: 
non-irradiated 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not correctly 
labelled 
(origin) 

Cheese 

Cheese with herbs13 

Butter with herbs 

36 

88 

3 

0 

3 

0 

EN1784 
EN1788 

EN1784 
EN1787 
EN1788 
EN13751 

EN1787 
EN1788 

13 

Spices and herbs were irradiated but not labelled. 

8 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Egg, egg products 

Meat (incl. frozen meat) 

Meat products (except 
sausages) 

Sausages13 

Poultry, game 

Fish, fish products 

Crustaceans 

Crustaceans, shell fish, 
molluscs and other 
aquatic animals and 
their products 

Pulses 

Soups, sauces 

Cereals, cereal products 

Oil seeds 

Nuts 

Potatoes, parts of plants 
with high starch content 

Fresh vegetables, salad 

Dried vegetables, 
vegetable products 

18 

35 

16 

174 

137 

68 

160 

113 

166 

3 

75 

7 

156 

76 

49 

63 

9 

0 

0 

0 

6 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN1784 
EN1786 
EN1787 

EN1787 

EN1784 
EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1784 
EN1787 

EN1786 

EN1785 
EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1784 

EN1784 
EN1788 
EN13751 

EN1787 

EN1784 
EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1788 

EN1784 
EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

 
 
  
 
 
Mushrooms, fresh 

Mushrooms, dried or 
products 

Fresh fruits 

Dried fruits or fruit 
products 

Cocoa powder 

Coffee, raw 

Tea, tea-like products14 

Ready-to-serve meals 

Spices, incl. 
preparations and 
seasoning salts 

85 

146 

308 

236 

9 

4 

94 

13 

341 

Spices and herbs 

644 

Asian noodle snacks, 
party snacks, pizza, TV 
snacks 

Chocolate 

Food supplements15 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

13 

1 

14 

3351 

99.2 

EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1784 
EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1787 
EN1788 

EN1784 
EN1787 

EN1784 
EN1787 
EN1788 
EN13751 

EN1787 
EN1788 
EN13751 

EN1788 
EN13751 

EN1784 

EN1788 

0 

2 

2 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

1 

2 

0 

0 

3 

26 

0.8 

14 

15 

The results of analyses indicate that only part of the ingredients of two ginger-lemon tea products were 
irradiated (RASFF 2002/BNP). It was however not possible to identify these ingredients. 
One  sample  of  “Spirulina”  pills,  one  sample  of  “pill  with  fruit-  and  vegetable  powder”  (RASFF 
2003/ABO) and one sample of “vegetable powder for the preparation of a drink” (RASFF 2003/ABO) 
were irradiated. These products are not authorised for irradiation in the EU. The latter two samples had 
been imported from US via UK. 

10 

 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                 
3.4. 

Denmark 

In  2002  (as  in  2001),  the  Danish  Veterinary  and  Food  Administration  have  not  carried  out 
analytical control to specifically check for irradiated foods at the marketing stage. There are 
two main reasons for this: 

1. 

2. 

All  Danish  food  producers,  importers  and  retailers  are  obliged  to  carry  out  auto-
controls  in  order  to  document  to  the  authorities  that  they  comply  with  the  current 
legislation. An integral part of inspections carried out by the Danish Veterinary and 
Food  Administration  is  the  document  control  ensuring  that  all  operators  can 
demonstrate  that  they  only  use  or  market  products  containing  irradiated  dried 
aromatic herbs or spices if they are properly labelled. 

In  Denmark,  an  indirect  approach  to  check  for  unlabelled  or  non-authorised 
irradiated  foods  has  been  chosen:  On  a  continuous  basis,  a  broad  selection  of 
foodstuffs  is  analytically  monitored  for  their  microbial  quality.  The  results  are  also 
used as a first screening procedure to check whether dried aromatic herbs and spices 
have undergone irradiation. If a sample deviates significantly from the background, it 
is taken out for further analysis in order to determine if it has been irradiated or not. 
During  the  period  of  1  January  2002  to  31  December  2002,  this  process  has  not 
identified any sample, which might have been irradiated. 

3.5. 

Spain 

In 2002, no analytical checks have been performed in Spain. 

3.6. 

Finland 

The checks focused on seafood products, herbal tea products and spices. Of the 122 samples 
that were taken, 3 were found to be irradiated, without having been labelled. The latter were 
taken  off  the  market  and  notified  to  the  Rapid  Alert  System  for  Food  and  Feed.  The  total 
result is similar to the result in 2001. 

Food analysed 

Number of analysed samples 

CEN method 
used 

Result: 
non-irradiated 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not correctly 
labelled 

Shellfish and mussels 

Frog legs 

Herbal tea products 

Spices 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

27 

2 

20 

73 

122 

97.6 

11 

EN13751  for 
screening 
purposes, 
confirmation 
by EN1788 

2 

1 

0 

0 

3 

2.4 

 
 
  
 
 
 
3.7. 

France 

France approved a private laboratory to perform targeted surveys to check whether foods have 
been  irradiated  and/or  correctly  labelled.  Four  samples  were  analysed  by  the  method  EN 
1788:  onion  powder  from  India,  and  from  Egypt,  mushrooms  from  Eastern  European 
countries and garlic powder from China. No irradiation treatment was detected. However, it 
was  discovered  that  certain  companies  in  France  using  irradiation  are  not  applying  the 
labelling  provisions  on  foods  and  food  ingredients.  Accordingly,  the  companies  were 
reminded  of  the  labeling  provisions  by  the  French  competent  authorities.  The  products 
concerned were dry mushrooms (75 % were not labelled) and gum arabic. 

3.8. 

Greece 

In  2002,  no  analytical  checks  have  been  performed  in  Greece  because  of  the  results  of  the 
corresponding control during the year 2001: all 99 samples analysed were not irradiated. The 
priorities for the year 2002 included other types of controls with respect to food safety. For 
the year 2003, a random survey on irradiated foods at the import points is scheduled. 

3.9. 

Italy 

No information has been submitted. 

3.10. 

Ireland 

The  checks  focused  on  herbs  and  spices  and  herbal  supplements.  Of  the  356  samples  that 
were taken, 46 were found to be irradiated and not labelled. 

Nearly 13 % of samples tested, including 40 % of herbal supplements tested, were found to be 
irradiated and not labelled.  

Food analysed 

Number of analysed samples 

CEN method 
used 

Result: 
non-irradiated 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not correctly 
labelled 

Herbs and spices 

Herbal supplements16 

Miscellaneous (Tea, 
Coffee, Sauces, etc.)16 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

254 

45 

11 

310 

87.1 

EN13751 
EN1788 

EN13751 
EN1788 

EN13751 
EN1788 

11 

30 

5 

46 

12.9 

16 

Not authorised for irradiation in the Community. 

12 

 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                 
3.11.  Luxembourg 

In 2002, no analytical checks have been performed in Luxembourg. 

3.12.  The Netherlands 

In  2002,  888  samples  were  taken  according  to  a  planned  programme.  The  results  of  the 
analysis of the different products and the methods used are shown in table. 

None of the irradiated samples were correctly labelled. The producers of frog legs and herbs 
and spices received as a resulted an official report for the offences. The dietary supplements 
were  sampled  and  researched  within  the  framework  of  a  monitoring  exercise,  therefore  no 
official report was made. 

Food analysed 

Number of analysed samples 

CEN method 
used 

Result: 
non-irradiated 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not correctly 
labelled 
(origin) 

Nile perch 

Frog legs 

Dietary supplements 

Spices and herbs 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

11 

23 

93 

706 

833 

93.8 

EN1785 

EN1785 

EN13751 
EN1788 

EN13751 
EN1788 

0 

7 

31 

17 

55 

6.2 

3.13. 

Portugal 

In  2002,  no  analytical  checks  have  been  performed  in  Portugal.  The  first  analytical  checks 
have been carried out in 2003. 

3.14. 

Sweden 

During  the  year  2002,  five  samples  have  been  taken  in  shops  selling  meat,  mainly  from 
poultry, and analysed by the method EN 1784. None of them were found to be irradiated. 

13 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
3.15.  The United Kingdom 

In  addition  to  herbs,  spices  and  vegetable  seasonings,  checks  were  performed  on 
mushrooms/edible  fungi,  prawns/shrimps,  dietary  supplements  and  strawberries.  Of  237 
samples,  7  were  identified  as  irradiated  and  not  labelled.  A  further  21  samples  tested  as 
"intermediate"  using  CEN  method  EN13751  and  are  inconclusive  because  they  were  not 
analysed  further.  The  results  for  dietary  supplements  are  similar  to  those  reported  in  2001 
where a high proportion was identified as irradiated. 

Food analysed 

Number of analysed samples 

Result: 
non-
irradiated 

Result: 
Inconclusive 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not 
correctly 
labelled 

Dried herbs and spices 
and vegetable 
seasonings 

Fresh herbs and spices 

Strawberries  

Mushrooms and edible 
fungi 

Prawns and shrimps 

Dietary supplements16 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

147 

15 

6 

2 

9 

29 

16 

209 

88.2 

0 

0 

1 

2 

3 

21 

8.9 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

6 

7 

2.9 

CEN 
method 
used 

EN13751 

EN13751 

EN13751 

EN13751 

EN13751 

EN13751 
EN1788 

14 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
3.16. 

Summary for the EU 

The following table summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained for the whole 
EU: 

Member State 

Number of analysed samples 

Result: 
non-irradiated 

Result: 
irradiated, 
not correctly labelled 

A 

B 

D 

DK 

E 

FIN 

F 

EL 

I 

IRL 

L 

NL 

P 

S 

UK 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Total in % of analysed 
samples without 
dietary supplements 

60 

- 

3351 

- 

- 

122 

4 

- 

- 

310 

- 

833 

- 

5 

209 

4894 

97.3 

98.6 

15 

0 

- 

26 

- 

- 

3 

0 

- 

- 

46 

- 

55 

- 

0 

7 

137 

2.7 

1.4 

 
 
  
 
4. 

CONCLUSIONS 

4.1. 

Results of checks carried out in the irradiation facilities 

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

In 2002, irradiation facilities had approval in seven Member States, but some Member States 
did not provide all the information requested with respect to food categories treated, quantities 
or doses. 

The  precise  amount  of  foods  irradiated  in  the  EU  during  2002  is  not  exactly  known  due  to 
incomplete  reporting.  Available  reports  account  for  approximately  20  000  t.  Part  of  this 
amount has been irradiated for export. The Directive does not require reporting of the portions 
which are placed on the EU market or which are exported. 

4.2. 

Results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage 

Directive 1999/2/EC requires the Member States to inform about results of checks carried out 
at the product marketing stage and the analytical methods used to detect irradiated foods. 

As in 2001, eight Member States submitted the requested data, whereas seven did not perform 
analytical  checks  during  the  period  covered.  The  Commission  asks  all  Member  States  to 
perform  checks  in  the  future  in  order  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
Directive in the whole EU. To this end, the Commission will write formally to the Member 
States. 

The situation in 2002 is similar to 2001. Again the number of samples analysed differs widely 
from one Member State to another. Few products on the market were found to be irradiated 
and  not  labelled.  These  products  are  mainly  dietary  supplements,  herbs  and  spices  or 
compound foods containing herbs and spices. Also, a few samples of non-labelled irradiated 
frog  legs,  aquatic  animal  products,  mushrooms,  fresh  fruits,  tea,  coffee,  sauces  and  similar 
products have been detected. 

In 2001, the United Kingdom authorities found that 42% of certain dietary supplements on its 
market were irradiated. As the treatment of most of these products by ionising radiation is not 
allowed  in  the  EU,  other  Member  States  have  been  asked  to  check  this  sector  in  order  to 
ensure  that  the  requirements  of  the  Directive  are  respected.  In  2002,  four  Member  States 
(United  Kingdom,  Ireland,  Germany  and  The  Netherlands)  performed  checks  on  dietary 
supplements  and  still  found  that  29,4%  of  the  products  checked  were  irradiated.  The 
Commission expects that the numbers of checks of these products are increased in all Member 
States and that irradiated products are withdrawn from the EU market. Member States are also 
invited to remind the food sector of the EU requirements with respect to food irradiation.  

In  total,  about  5000  food  samples  have  been  checked  of  which  about  2.7 %  (including  the 
irradiated dietary supplements in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands) 
were irradiated but not labelled and some of them not authorised for irradiation. This is almost 
double  the  detections  in  2001  where  they  were  1.4%.  Excluding  dietary  supplements,  about 
1.4 % of the samples were found to be irradiated which is also an increase in comparison to 
2001  (0.6%).  In  both  cases,  this  may  be  accounted  for  by  a  more  targeted  nature  of  the 
sampling. 

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4.3. 

Deadline for the submission of results of checks for the report 2003 

The deadline for the submission of results of checks to the Commission performed in 2003, 
according to Article 7 (3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, is 30 April 2004. 

17