Report from the Commission on food irradiation for the year 2004
Date: 2006-09-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, data collection, exchange of information, food inspection, foodstuff, irradiation, perishable goods

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Official Journal of the European Union

23.9.2006

Report from the Commission on food irradiation for the year 2004

(2006/C 230/08)

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 quan-

tities 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 irra-

diated foods.

In 2004, irradiation facilities had approval in 10 Member States. 7 Member States provided the information
requested with respect to food categories treated, quantities or doses. As a consequence, the precise
amount of foods irradiated in the EU during 2004 is not known.

16 Member States reported checks on foods placed on the market. In total, 7169 food samples were
checked in 2004. About 3,9 % of products on the market were found to be irradiated and not labelled. In
particular, products imported from Asia, especially Asian-type noodles and dried prepared noodles, appear
to be illegally irradiated.

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 2004 to 31 December 2004.

Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the European
Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection2.

1.1.

Irradiation facilities

Under Article 3(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC, food may be irradiated only in approved irradiation facil-
ities. 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) OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 16. Amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).
(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/index_en.htm.
(3) OJ C 187, 7.8.2003, p. 13.

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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 (1)).
In addition, 6 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 (2).

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 2004 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation
facility IBA Mediris S.A. with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2004.

Food

Shrimps

Frog's legs

Herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings

Frozen vegetables

Cheese

Eggs

Poultry/Game

Meat

Fish

Dried fruits

Starch

Plasma

Prepared dishes

Total

(*) Amounts reported in kg.

(1) OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 24.
(2) OJ C 56, 11.3.2003, p. 5.

Amount
(t) (*)

685,7

2 688,4

496,0

143,4

26,6

168,9

219,8

966,8

191,9

2,8

112,5

46,4

167,5

5 776,6

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Official Journal of the European Union

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2.2. Czech Republic

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2004 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 2004.

Food

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings

Egg white

Total

2.3. Germany

Overall average absorbed
radiation dose
(KGy)

5

3

Amount
(t)

460,3

0,01

460,8

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

(a) Gamma Service Produktbestrahlung GmbH, Radeberg

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2004 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
2004.

Food

Quantity
(t)

Average absorbed dose
(kGy)

Dried vegetables

Herbs and seasonings

Other foodstuffs (guarana seed)

Total

3,3

338,4

0,7

342,4

<10

<10

<10

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

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2004 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
2004.

Food

Quantity
[t]

Average absorbed dose
[kGy]

Granulated slippery jack mushroom

Plant raw materials (parsley, dill, cilantro)

Powdered spinach

Powdered celery/horse radish

Parsley

Total

1,20

2,50

4,32

3,00

13,00

24,02

6,6

6,3

6,5

6,6

5,2

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(c) Isotron Deutschland GmbH, Allershausen

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2004 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
2004.

Food

Quantity
[t]

Average absorbed dose
[kGy]

Seasonings

Herbs

Total

53

440

429,21

7-9

7-9

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

No food products were irradiated in this facility in 2004.

2.4.

Spain

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

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

2.5.

France

In France, there are seven facilities approved for the irradiation of foods.

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2004 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 the facilities in 2004.

Food

Herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings

Frozen herbs

Dried vegetables and fruits

Gum arabic

Casein, caseinates

Mechanically recovered poultry meat, offal of poultry

Frozen frog legs

Shrimps

Total

Quantity
[t]

203

1

2

28

54

635

813

20

1 802

Average absorbed dose
[kGy]

10

10

1

3

6

5

5

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2.6. Hungary

In Hungary, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods.

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

2.7.

Italy

In Italy, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods.

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

2.8.

The Netherlands

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

During 2004, a general inspection of the Isotron facility in Ede was organised. The facility in Etten-
Leur was only inspected for HACCP. No information has been forwarded on the results of the
inspections carried out.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the facilities in 2004.

Products in 2004

Spices/Herbs

Dehydrated vegetables

Poultry meat (frozen)

Shrimps (frozen)

Frog parts

Egg white (cooled)

Food (**)

Samples food

Total

Quantity
[t] (*)

1 638,4

1 088

23,2

284,8

64

1,6

1 647,2

21,6

4 768,8

(*) The amounts have been reported as ‘boards’ with an average weight per board of 800 kg.
(**) Products intended for exports to third countries.

2.9.

Poland

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

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The installation of the Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry Technical University of Lodz was
inspected by the State Sanitary Inspection and in compliance with EU Directive 1999/2/CE.

The following tables shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the facilities in 2004.

1. Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and technology, Warsaw

Food

Spices, Herbs, dehydrated vegetables

Dried mushrooms

Total

Quantity
[t]

619,3

61,4

680,7

Average absorbed dose
[kGy]

7

5-7

1

2. Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry Technical university of Lodz.

Food

Spices

Total

Average absorbed dose
[kGy]

8

Quantity
[t]

47,8

47,8

2.10. The United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods.

The facility (reference EW/04) was inspected by the Food Standards Agency in December 2004. The
facility complied with its licence and with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

No food was irradiated under licence in the UK in 2004.

2.11. Summary for the EU

10 Member States, including 3 new Member States, have facilities approved in accordance with
Article 7(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC.

Only 4 Member States forwarded to the Commission the results of checks carried out in irradiation
facilities. Spain, Hungary and Italy did not provide such information.

The exact amount of foodstuffs irradiated in the Union cannot thus be determined.

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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

118 samples were checked for ionising radiation treatment. Irradiation was confirmed in one sample
of dried fish, taken in connection with an inspection following a notification through the RASFF.

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 118

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled

CEN method used

Basil

Chilli

Cloves

Marjoram

Oregano

Paprika

Pepper

Peppermint

Rosemary

Herbal tea (spiced)

Thyme

Chicken

Turkey

Duck

Goose

Dried fish

TOTAL

Total in % of analysed samples

2

2

1

4

4

7

10

1

4

34

5

14

3

15

11

1

117

99

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1786

EN 1786

EN 1786

EN 1786

EN 1785

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

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3.2. Belgium

In total, 225 samples were analysed. None were found to be irradiated.

Number of analysed samples: 225

Food analysed

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled
(origin)

CEN method used

Frozen peeled or decapitated shrimps

Dried herbs and spices

Mechanically recovered poultry meat

Fresh strawberries

Grated cheese

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

40

44

23

27

42

225

100

EN 1785

EN 1785

EN 1785

EN 1785

EN 1785

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3.3. Cyprus

No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

3.4. Czech Republic

In total, 17 samples were analysed. 1 sample of herbal tea was positive for irradiation and was not
correctly labelled.

Food analysed

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled

CEN method used

Number of analysed samples: 17

Spices

Herbal tea products

Food supplements

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

3.5. Germany

8

3

5

16

94

EN 13751
EN 1788

EN 13751
EN 1788

EN 13751
EN 1788

0

1

0

1

6

4302 food samples were examined. 74 of these, i.e. 1,7 % on average, were non-compliant: 62
samples were incorrectly labelled and 12 were found to have been illegally irradiated.

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The infringements are distributed very unevenly over product categories. In the group ‘Asian noodle
snacks, party snacks, pizza, TV snacks’, 5 of 14 samples (36 %) had been irradiated and were not
correctly labelled. The same was true for 18 % of dried prepared meals.

It should be noted that products from Asia accounted for most of the non-compliant samples.

Number of analysed samples: 4302

Food analysed

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled (*)
(origin)

CEN method used

Milk/milk products

Cheese with herbs

Butter with herbs

Eggs, egg products

(including

Meat
poultry, game)

frozen meat,

except

Meat products (except sausages)

Sausages

Poultry

Game

Fish and fisheries products

52

57

28

6

11

31

69

124

12

76

0

0

0

0

0

EN 1788
EN 1787
EN 1784
EN 1785

EN 1788
EN 1784
EN 1787

EN 1787
EN 1788

EN 1784 mod.

EN 1784 mod.
EN 1786

1 (*)
(Vietnam)

EN 1786
EN 1788

0

0

0

4 (*)
(Thailand)

EN 1784 mod.
EN 1786
EN 1788
EN 1787

EN 1784
EN 1786

EN 1786
EN 1784

EN 1784
EN 1786
EN 1788

EN 1786
EN 1788
L 12.01-1

Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other
aquatic animals including their products

227

2 (*)

Pulses

Soups, sauces

Cereals and cereal products

40

69

68

0

3

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751 (Screening)

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

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Number of analysed samples: 4302

Food analysed

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled (*)
(origin)

CEN method used

Oil seeds

Nuts

Potatoes, parts of plants with high
content of starch

Fresh vegetables, salad

83

307

37

86

0

0

0

0

EN 1784
EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1784 mod.
EN 1786
EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1787
EN 13751
EN 1788

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

Dried vegetables, vegetable products

112

2 (*)
(China, powdered
spinach)

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751 (Screening)

Mushrooms, fresh

79

0

EN 1788
EN 13751

Mushrooms, dried or mushroom products

281

3 + 2 (*)
(Asia, Italy,
Germany)

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751 (Screening)

Fresh fruits

192

1 (*)

Dried fruits or fruit products

213

Coffee, raw

Teas, tea-like products

Ready-to-serve meals

15

291

8

0

0

0

0

Spices,
seasoning salt

including

preparations

and

1 268

34

EN 1784 mod.
EN 1784
EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13708
EN 13751
L 30.00-3

EN 1788

EN 1788
EN 1787
EN 13751
EN 13751 (Screening)

EN 1786
EN 1787
EN 1788

EN 1786
EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751
EN 13751 (Screening)
EN 13788

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Number of analysed samples: 4302

Food analysed

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled (*)
(origin)

CEN method used

Herbs

171

2

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751
EN 13788

Dry prepared meals

Asian noodle snacks, party snacks, pizza,
TV snacks

Food supplements

Other

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

73

9

90

43

4 228

98

13
(Vietnam, Taiwan,
Turkey, Germany)

EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751

EN 1787
EN 1788

EN 1784 mod.
EN 1787
EN 1788
EN 13751
EN 13751 (Screening)

EN 1787
EN 1788

5

2

74

2

(*) Labelled as irradiated, though irradiation not permitted.

3.6. Denmark

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) examined 53 samples herbal food supple-
ments and herbal raw materials for food supplements. 3 samples had been irradiated or contained
irradiated ingredients. Non of them were correctly labelled in relation to irradiation.

Food analysed

Number of samples analysed: 53

Result: not irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
properly labelled

CEN methods used

Herbal food supplements and herbal raw
materials for food supplements

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

50

50

94

3

3

6

EN 13783 (screening)
and
EN 1788 (verification)

3.7.

Estonia

No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

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3.8. Greece

In total, 76 samples were analysed. The 5 positive samples were food supplements. No information
was given about the labelling of these samples.

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 76

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated

CEN method used

Dried spices and herbs

Food supplements

Cocoa

Fish

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

3.9.

Spain

34

30

11

1

71

93

EN 13751

EN 13751

EN 13751

EN 13751

0

5

0

0

5

7

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

3.10. Finland

Altogether, 309 samples were analysed. Of the 297 samples of dried spices and herbs analysed, 84
samples were found to contain irradiated material. Most of these were spice mixtures in instant
noodle packages imported from China and other Asian countries.

A total of 12 food supplements were analysed and 8 were found to contain irradiated material.

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 309

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled

CEN method used

Dried spices and herbs

Food supplements

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

3.11. France

213

4

217

70

EN 13751
EN 1788

EN 13751
EN 1788

84

8

92

30

In total, 60 samples, most of them spices were analysed. None were found to be irradiated.

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3.12. Hungary

In total, 134 samples were analysed. 2 samples of herbs were positive for irradiation, one of which
was not correctly labelled.

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 134

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated (*)

CEN method used

Herbs

Tea

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

(*) One sample was not correctly labelled.

3.13. Ireland

117

15

132

99

EN 1788

EN 1788

2

0

2

1

In total, 586 samples were analysed of which 9 were confirmed to be irradiated.

Food analysed

Chicken sausages

Prawns

Soups, broths and sauces

Cereal and bakery products

Fruit and vegetables

Herbs, spices and seasonings

Coffee and tea

Seeds

Foods intended for special nutritional uses

Food supplements

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

3.14. Italy

Number of analysed samples: 586

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled

CEN method used

EN 13751
EN 1788

1

10

43

7

79

342

23

62

1

7

577

98

0

0

2

1

0

3

2

1

0

0

9

2

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

3.15. Latvia

No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

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3.16. Lithuania

2 samples were tested: 1 sample of laurel leaves and 1 sample of green tea. Both were negative.

Documentary checks of dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings in 300 food stores
were performed, but no information about the possible treatment of these dried aromatic herbs,
spices and vegetable seasonings with ionising radiation was obtained.

3.17. Luxembourg

In total, 50 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 50

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated

CEN method used

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Spices

Potatoes

Tea

Crustaceans: Prawn

Onion

Total

10

10

10

10

10

50

Total in % of analysed samples

100

3.18. Malta

No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

3.19. The Netherlands

In total, 430 samples were taken in the marketplace and analysed for irradiation. Of these 430
samples, 45 proved to be irradiated. Only 2 of the irradiated samples were correctly labelled as such.
No indication of the origin of the positive samples was given.

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 430

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated (*)

CEN method used

Dietary supplements

Spices and herbs

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

(*) Two of the samples were correctly labelled.

165

220

385

90

EN 13751
EN 1788

EN 13751
EN 1788

38

7

45

10

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3.20. Poland

In total, 121 samples were analysed. 7 samples tested positive for irradiation, none of which were
correctly labelled.

Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 121

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated, not
correctly labelled

CEN method used

Dried herbs, spices and vegetable season-
ings

Potatoes

Onion and garlic

Poultry

Unshelled nuts

Prawns, fish

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

3.21. Portugal

60

2

13

7

24

8

114

94

6
(Singapore, India)

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

EN 1788

0

0

0

1

0

7

6

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

3.22. Sweden

No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

3.23. Slovakia

In total, 10 samples comprising sunflower seed, hazelnuts, peanuts and almonds were tested with
the GC method EN 1784. The results indicate that none of the samples were irradiated.

3.24. Slovenia

No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

3.25. The United Kingdom

In total, 676 products were sampled by UK local enforcement authorities and analysed using stan-
dardised detection tests for irradiated food. Of these 676 samples, 40 (6 %) were found to be irra-
diated. The 33 samples reported as ‘inconclusive’ were identified as intermediate using CEN method
EN13751:2002, 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.

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Food analysed

Number of analysed samples: 676

Result: non-irradiated

Result: irradiated

CEN method used

Dried herbs,
seasonings

spices

and

vegetable

333

Dried ready meals

Couscous and dried seasonings

Dried soup mixes

Noodles and dried seasoningsA

Tortillas and dried seasonings

Rice and dried seasonings

Pasta and dried seasonings

Mushrooms and edible fungi (dried and
fresh)

Dried fruit

Fresh fruit

Vegetables including onions

Herbal teas

Seafood, i.e. shellfish, prawns, shrimps
and fish

Dried food ingredientsB

Nuts

Food supplements

Total

Total in % of analysed samples

30

0

5

18

2

2

2

4

47

17

10

21

40

4

1

96

636

94

10

14

1

0

12

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

15

40

6

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002

EN13751:2002;
EN 1778:2001

—

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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

BE

CY

CZ

DE

DK

EE

EL

ES

FI

FR

HU

IE

IT

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

PL

PT

SE

SK

SI

UK

Total

117

225

NAC

16

4228

50

NAC

71

NI

217

60

132

577

NI

NAC

2

50

NAC

385

114

NI

NAC

10

NAC

636

6 890

1

0

NAC

1

74

3

NAC

5

NI

92

0

2 (*)

9

NI

NAC

0

0

NAC

45 (*)

7

NI

NAC

0

NAC

40

279

1

0

NAC

6

2

6

NAC

7

NI

30

0

1

0

NI

NAC

0

0

NAC

10

6

NI

NAC

0

NAC

6

3,9

No information has been forwarded by the Member State

NI:
NAC: No analytical checks were performed in 2004.

(*) Hungary and the Netherlands, respectively, found 1 and 2 samples that were irradiated and correctly labelled.

23.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 230/45

4.

Conclusions

4.1. Results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities

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

In 2004, irradiation facilities had approval in 10 Member States. Compared to 2003, facilities in 3
new Member States were added to the list of approved facilities in the Member States.

Only 7 of the 10 Member States provided the information requested with respect to the food cate-
gories treated.

Due this incomplete reporting, the precise amount of foods irradiated in the EU during 2004 is not
known.

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

In 2004, 16 Member States performed analytical checks and submitted the requested data. 6
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 2004, 3,9 % of samples were irradiated and not
correctly labelled.

The infringements are unevenly distributed over product categories. Products imported from Asia,
especially Asian-type noodles and dried prepared noodles, are particularly concerned. In addition, it
should be noted that in 2004, there were no facilities in Asia approved by the European Com-
munity.

The Commission expects that the numbers of checks on these products will be increased in all
Member States 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 2005 report

The deadline for submitting to the Commission the results of checks performed in 2005, as required
under Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, is 30 April 2006.