REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2009
Date: 2012-01-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, disclosure of information, food inspection, foodstuff, ionising radiation

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 26.1.2012 
COM(2012) 16 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION 
FOR THE YEAR 2009 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
  
 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION 
FOR THE YEAR 2009 

1. 

LEGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND 

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,  requires 
Member States to forward to the Commission every year: 

– 

and 

– 

the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding 
the categories and quantities of food and food ingredients treated and the doses 
administered 

the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods 
used to detect treatment 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 by the national supervisory authorities. 

The  current  report  covers  the  period  from  1 January 2009  to  31 December 2009.  It 
contains  a  compilation  of  the  information  forwarded  to  the  Commission  by  the 
27 Member States. 

Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the 
European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumer2. 

1.1.  Irradiation facilities 

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

1 
2 

OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 16. 
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/index_en.htm 

EN 

2 

   EN 

 
                                                 
Irradiation of food and food ingredients may only be carried out by means of 
the following sources: 

– 

– 

– 

Gamma rays from radionuclides 60Co or 137Cs; 

X-rays generated from machine sources 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  facilities  in  the  Member  States  has  been 
published by the Commission3 . 

1.2.  Irradiated food and food ingredients 

The  irradiation  of  dried  aromatic  herbs,  spices  and  vegetable  seasonings  is 
authorised at EU level by 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, 
7 Member  States  have  notified  that  they  maintain  national  authorisations  for 
certain  food  and  food  ingredients  in  accordance  with  Article 4(4)  of 
Directive 1999/2/EC. The list of national authorisations has been published by 
the Commission5. 

Any  irradiated  foodstuff  containing  one  or  more  irradiated  food  ingredient 
must  be  labelled  with  the  words  “irradiated”  or  “treated  with  ionising 
radiation”. If an irradiated product is used as an ingredient in a compound food, 
the same words shall accompany its designation in the list of ingredients. In the 
case of products sold 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  detect  non-authorised  products,  several 
analytical  methods  have  been  standardised  by  the  European  Committee  for 
the  European 
Standardisation  (CEN),  following  a  mandate  given  by 
Commission. 

2. 

RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT IN IRRADIATION FACILITIES 

This section of the report deals with the results of the checks carried out in irradiation 
facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of products treated and 
the  doses  administered.  According  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. 

3 
4 
5 

OJ C 77, 11.3.2011, p. 14. 
OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 24. 
OJ C 283, 24.11.2009, p. 5. 

EN 

3 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
The  following  tables  show  the  categories  and  quantities  of  products  irradiated  in 
approved facilities in the EU Member States in 2009. 

2.1.  Belgium 

There is one approved facility. 

Category of  
products 

Frog legs 

Poultry 

Fish and shellfish 

Herbs and spices 

Dehydrated blood 

Vegetables 

Starch 

Total 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

2.109 

432 

56 

168 

18 

9,8 

24 

2.816,8 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

5 

5 

3-5 

6-9 

6-9 

6 

3 

2.2.  Bulgaria 

There is one approved facility.  

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs 

Total 

2.3.  Czech Republic 

0,368 

0,368 

10 

There are two facilities approved in the Czech Republic. One of them6 closed 
on 30 March 2009. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasoning 

Total 

2.4.  Germany 

48,6 

48,6 

4-10 

There are four facilities approved. No food was irradiated in one facility. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasoning 

Total 

95,3 

95,3 

<10 

6 

Artim s.r.o., Radiová 1, Prague. 

EN 

4 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
2.5.  Spain 

There are two facilities approved. During 2009, food and food ingredients were 
irradiated in only one of these facilities. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

2.6.  France 

There are five facilities approved.  

460 

460 

<10 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Poultry 

Gum Arabic 

Herbs, spices and dried vegetables 

Frozen frog legs 

Total 

2.7.  Hungary  

There is one facility approved. 

656,6 

78,7 

1,3 

461,5 

1198,1 

5 

3 

10 

5 

Category of  
products 

Herbs and spices 

Dehydrated products 

Total 

2.8.  Italy  

Treated  
quantity (t) 

221,7 

7 

228,7 

Average absorbed dose (kGy) 

6 

6 

There is one facility approved. No food was irradiated in 2009. 

2.9.  The Netherlands 

There are two facilities approved. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Frog parts 

Poultry 

Frozen shrimps 

Herbs and spices 

Dehydrated vegetables 

Egg white 

Food samples 

Total 

270,3 

145,5 

56,2 

387,3 

666,9 

65,5 

1,9 

1593,6 

4 

4.3-5 

3 

6.8 

2-4 

1 

6.6-9.6 

EN 

5 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.10.  Poland 

There are two approved facilities. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose (kGy) 

Dry spices, dried flavoured 
herbs, vegetable & root 
spices 

Total 

2.11.  Romania 

195,7 

195,7 

5-10 

There is one approved facility. No food was irradiated in 2009. 

2.12.  The United Kingdom 

There is one approved facility. No food was irradiated in 2009. 

2.13.  Other Member States 

There are no approved facilities in the other Member States (Austria, Cyprus, 
Denmark,  Estonia,  Finland,  Greece,  Ireland,  Luxembourg,  Lithuania,  Latvia, 
Malta, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia) 

2.14.  Summarising table for the EU 

The following table summarises the quantities of foodstuffs (in tonnes) treated 
by  ionising  radiation  in  approved  irradiation  facilities  within  the  European 
Union in 2009.  

Category of products 

BE 

BG  CZ  DE 

ES 

FR 

HU 

NL 

PL 

Total 

% 

Dehydrated blood 

Dehydrated products 

Egg white 

Fish & Shellfish 

Food Samples 

Frog legs / parts 

Gum arabic 

18 

0 

0 

56 

0 

2109 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0  461,50 

0 

78,7 

0 

7 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

666,9 

65,5 

56,2 

1,9 

270,3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Herbs, Spices 

168  0,37  48,6  95,3 

460 

1,3 

221,7 

387,3 

195,7 

Poultry 

Starch 

Vegetables 

Total 

% of total 

432 

24 

9,8 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

656,6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

145,5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2816,8  0,37  48,6  95,3 

460  1198,1 

228,7 

1593,6 

195,7 

6637,17 

42,44  0,01  0,73  1,44  6,93 

18,05 

3,45 

24,01 

2,95 

100 

18 

0,27 

673,9 

10,15 

65,5 

112,2 

1,9 

0,99 

1,69 

0,03 

2840,8 

42,80 

78,7 

1,19 

1578,27 

23,78 

1234,1 

18,59 

24 

9,8 

0,36 

0,15 

100 

EN 

6 

   EN 

 
  
3. 

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

Regarding the results of the checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the 
methods  used  to  detect  treatment  with  ionising  radiation,  the  Member  States 
submitted the following information. 

3.1.  Austria  

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Herbal teas 

Poultry meat 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.2.  Belgium 

Number of samples: 132 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

54 

41 

37 

132 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100 % 

0,00 % 

0,00 % 

CEN method used 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

EN 1786 

Number of samples: 148 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

Instant noodles 

Crustaceans and molluscs 

Frozen herbs 

Food supplements  

Dried vegetables 

Dried fruit 

Ready-to-eat dish 

Meat 

Total 

29 

42 

23 

27 

10 

10 

1 

5 

147 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

99,32 % 

0,00 % 

0,67 % 

CEN method used 

EN 1788 

EN 

7 

   EN 

 
 
  
3.3.  Bulgaria  

Food analysed 

Dried spices 

Mixed spices 

Dried vegetable seasoning 

Red Pepper 

Tea 

Rice 

Dried fruits 

Muesli with died fruits and 
nuts 

Spaghetti 

Dried soup with vegetables 

Nuts 

Meat 

Fish 

Shrimps 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.4.  Cyprus  

Number of samples: 165 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

18 

8 

7 

10 

27 

4 

30 

4 

0 

3 

20 

6 

5 

9 

151 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 13708 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1786 

EN 1787 

EN 1786, EN 1785 

EN 1786 

EN 1787, EN 13708 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

5 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

14 

91,50 % 

0 % 

8,50 % 

Number of samples: 8 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Dried vegetables, herbs and 
spices 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

8 

8 

0 

0 

100,00 % 

0 % 

0 % 

CEN method used 

ΕΝ 13751 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

EN 

8 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
3.5.  Czech Republic 

Food analysed 

Number of samples: 65 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

Fresh fruits 

Fish and shellfish 

Herbal tea products 

Spices 

Dietary supplements 

Instant noodle soups 

Poultry 

Frog legs 

Pine nuts 

Total 

6 

11 

9 

6 

5 

8 

6 

1 

1 

53 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 
2* 

5** 

0 

0 

0 

7 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

81,54 % 

7,69 % 

10,77 % 

* 
** 

one sample dried pressed herbs 
one sample irradiated noodles, four samples irradiated spice mixture 

CEN method used 

EN 1788, EN 1785 

EN 1785 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788, EN 1785 

EN 1785 

EN 1785 

EN 1788, EN 1785 

3.6.  Germany 

Food analysed 

Dairy products 

Cheese, cheese preparations 
with herbs and spices  

Cheese, cheese preparations 
without herbs and spices 

Butter with herbs 

Eggs and egg products 

Meat (except poultry and 
game) 

Poultry 

Meat products (except 
saussages) 

Sausage products 

Fish and fish products 

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

Soups, sauces, including 
instant soups and meals 

Cereals and ceral products 

Number of samples: 3.169 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

2 

0 

9 

44 

26 

8 

19 

10 

83 

47 

35 

70 

144 

214 

30 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

12 

0 

9 

CEN method used 

EN 1787 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1788, EN 1784, 
ASU§64 LFGB, L00.00-39

EN 1788, EN 1787,  

EN 1784  

EN 1784, EN 1786,  

EN 1784, EN 1786, 
EN 1789 

EN 1786, EN 1784 

 EN 1788, EN 1786, EN 
1784 

EN 1786, EN 1788 

EN 1788, EN 1786, 
EN 1787, EN 13751, 
ASU§64 LFGB,L12.01-1, 
ESR, L00.00-43 

EN 1787, EN 1788, 
EN 13751, L00.00-43 

EN 1787, EN 1788, 
EN 13751 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
Pulses, oil seeds, nuts 

Potatoes, parts of starch-rich 
plants 

Fresh vegetables 

Dried vegetables 

Fresh mushrooms 

Dried mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 

Fresh fruit 

Dried fruit and fruit products 

Coffee 

Tea, tea-like products 

71 

36 

19 

60 

11 

173 

140 

52 

1 

198 

Prepared meals and dishes 

11 

Food supplements 

Seasonings and condiments 

Dried herbs and spices 

Others 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.7.  Denmark 

188 

272 

1144 

21 

3.136 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

15 

EN 1787, EN 1788, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, L00.00-43, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, L00.00-43, 
EN 13751, EN 1787 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751, EN 1385 

EN 1787, EN 1788,  

EN 1788 

EN 1788, L00.00-43, 
EN 13751, EN 1787 

EN 1788, EN 1787, EN 
1786, EN 13751,  

L 00.00-43 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, L00.00-43, 
EN 13751, EN 1787 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, EN 
1786, EN 13751 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

10 

2 

1 

0 

18 

98,96% 

0,47% 

0,57% 

No checks were carried out at the marketing stage 2009.  

3.8.  Estonia  

Food analysed 

Dried herbs and spices 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 5 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

5 

5 

0 

0 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

100,00 % 

0 % 

0 % 

CEN method used 

EN 13751  

EN 

10 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
3.9.  Greece 

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Dried vegetables 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.10.  Spain 

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Dried fruits  

Meat  

Infusions 

Nuts 

Fish 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.11.  Finland 

Food analysed 

Dried spices and herbs 

Food supplements 

Berries 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 41 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

35 

6 

41 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751 (PPSL) 

EN 13751 (PPSL) 

0 

0 

0 

100,00 % 

0 % 

0 % 

Number of samples: 86 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

52 

6 

3 

7 

2 

15 

85 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

98,8 % 

0 % 

1,2 % 

CEN method used 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 13708 

EN 1786 

EN 1787 

EN 1787 

EN 1786 

Number of samples: 224 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

164 

32 

16 

212 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

6 

1 

12 

94,60 % 

0 % 

5,40 % 

CEN method used 

EN 13751, EN 1788  

EN 13751, EN 1788  

EN 13751, EN 1788  

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
3.12.  France 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Frozen crustaceans or molluscs 

Dehydrated soups and sauces 

Food supplements 

Poultry 

Dehydrated instant 
preparations (Asian noodles) 

Plants for food supplements 

Frog legs 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.13.  Hungary 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Tea 

Total 

Number of samples: 119 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

20 

21 

16 

10 

22 

10 

11 

0 

110 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

0 

3 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

0 

1 

3 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

6 

 92,50% 

5,00% 

2,50% 

Number of samples: 11 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

6 

5 

11 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

CEN method used 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

100,00 % 

0 % 

0 % 

EN 

12 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
CEN method used 

EN 13751 (screening), EN 
1788 (confirmation) 

3.14.  Ireland 

Food analysed 

Dried herbs 

PARNUTS* 

Fruit and vegetables 

Herbal supplements 

Vitamins and supplements 

Teas and coffee 

Herbs and spices 

Seasonings /stocks 

Seeds 

Rice and rice flour 

Prawns and fried snacks 

Soup 

Others 

Total 

Number of samples: 294 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

58 

7 

4 

3 

12 

23 

159 

13 

1 

2 

2 

1 

5 

290 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

98,6 % 

0 % 

1,4 % 

* 

PARNUTS: Food for particular nutritional purposes. 

3.15.  Italy 

Food analysed 

Meat 

Fish products 

Meat products 

Poultry  

Dried herbs and spices 

Seasoning (vegetable) 

Garlic 

Onions 

Shallots  

Lime 

Potatoes 

Total 

Number of samples: 223 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

38 

24 

11 

2 

88 

18 

6 

9 

2 

1 

11 

210 

0 

0 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

8 

EN 13784 

EN 13784 

EN 13784 

EN 1786  

EN 13783, EN13751, EN 
1788 

EN 13783, EN 1788 

EN 13784, EN13751 

EN 13784, EN13751, EN 
13783  

EN 13783, EN 1788  

EN 13751 

EN 13784, EN13751, EN 
13783 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

94,17 % 

3,58 % 

2,24 % 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
CEN method used 

EN 1788 

3.16.  Latvia 

Food analysed 

Food supplements 

Herbs and spices 

Muesli  

Popcorn 

Tea 

Dried apricots 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.17.  Lithuania 

Number of samples: 15 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

5 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

73,33 % 

0 % 

26,66 % 

Number of samples: 16 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

CEN method used 

EN 13783 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

Dried aromatic herbs, tea, 
spices, food supplements 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.18.  Luxembourg 

16 

16 

0 

0 

100,00 % 

0 % 

0 % 

No checks were carried out at the marketing stage 2009.  

3.19.  Malta 

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 32 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

32 

32 

0 

0 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

100,00 % 

0 % 

0 % 

CEN method used 

EN 13751 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
3.20.  The Netherlands 

Food analysed 

Food supplements 

Vitamin preparations 

Special (herb) mixtures 

Cereal products 

Dried vegetables and vegetable 
products 

Dried fruit and fruit products 

Nuts and seeds 

Fish and fish products 

Salads, pasta and soup 

Spices/flavours 

Meat and meat products 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.21.  Poland 

Food analysed 

Dried herbs and spices  

Nuts 

Vegetables (including pulses) 

Fruits 

Fish and sea food 

Fowl 

Teas 

Ripened cheeses, cottage 
cheeses, other cheeses 
containing spices/herbs 

Concentrated sauces and soups 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.22.  Portugal 

Number of samples: 771 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

151 

5 

73 

17 

57 

56 

63 

33 

127 

147 

2 

731 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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 1788 

22 

0 

11 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

4 

1 

0 

40 

95,00% 

0 % 

5,00% 

Number of samples: 215 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

88 

20 

17 

33 

12 

7 

10 

7 

18 

212 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

3 

98,60 % 

00,00 % 

1,40 % 

CEN method used 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 1787 

EN 1788 

EN 13708 

EN 1786 

EN 1786 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

No checks were carried out at the marketing stage 2009.  

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
3.23.  Romania 

Food analysed 

Dried spices and herbs 

Food supplements 

Instant noodles  

Teas 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.24.  Sweden 

Number of samples: 74 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

54 

5 

5 

7 

71 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

0 

3 

95,95 % 

00,00 % 

4,05 % 

CEN method used 

EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 
13751 

EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1787 

EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 
13751 

Number of samples: 6 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

6 

6 

0 

0 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

CEN method used 

EN 1784 

Poulty meat  

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

100,00 % 

00,00 % 

00,00 % 

3.25.  Slovak Republic 

Food analysed 

Nuts 

Cheese 

Schwartzwald ham 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 

Dried poultry salami 

Poppy seed 

Chicken broth 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 41 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

24 

10 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

41 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1788 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100,00 % 

00,00 % 

00,00 % 

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
3.26.  Slovenia 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Food supplements 

Tea  

Seeds and rice 

Poultry meat 

Prepared foods (instant soups, 
noodles) 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 60 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

10 

3 

10 

9 

6 

6 

44 

0 

7 

0 

1 

4 

4 

16 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 1786 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

73,33 % 

26,66 % 

00,00 % 

3.27.  United Kingdom 

Food analysed 

Dried herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Fresh and preserved (other 
than dried) herbs and spices 

Noodles and dehydrated Asian 
meals 

Vegetables  

Fruit (including fresh and 
dried) 

Pasta products 

Yeast products 

Teas 

Dried Fish and seafood  

Food supplements 

Honey and other bee products 

Miscellaneous 

Frog legs 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 345  

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

174 

21 

16 

4 

5 

5 

0 

5 

2 

41 

14 

2 

1 

290 

21 

1 

7 

1 

0 

0 

2 

0 

2 

11 

0 

1 

0 

46 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN 1786 

3 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

9 

84,00 % 

13,00 % 

3,00 % 

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
3.28.  Summary for the EU 

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

MEMBER 
STATE 

COMPLIANT 
SAMPLES 

INCONCLUSIVE 

NON 
COMPLIANT 
SAMPLES 

TOTAL 
SAMPLES 

% VERSUS EU 
TOTAL 
SAMPLES 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY  

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LV 

LT 

LU 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SK 

SI 

UK 

TOTAL EU 

132 

147 

151 

8 

53 

3136 

NAC 

5 

41 

85 

212 

110 

11 

290 

210 

11 

16 

NAC 

32 

731 

212 

NAC 

71 

6 

41 

44 

290 

6045 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

15 

NAC 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

0 

1 

14 

0 

7 

18 

NAC 

0 

0 

1 

12 

6 

0 

4 

5 

4 

0 

NAC 

NAC 

0 

0 

0 

0 

40 

3 

NAC 

NAC 

0 

0 

0 

16 

46 

93 

3 

0 

0 

0 

9 

127 

2,03% 

132 

148 

165 

8 

65 

3169 

NAC 

5 

41 

86 

224 

119 

11 

294 

223 

15 

16 

NAC 

32 

771 

215 

NAC 

74 

6 

41 

60 

345 

6265 

100,00% 

2,11% 

2,36% 

2,63% 

0,13% 

1,04% 

50,58% 

NAC 

0,08% 

0,65% 

1,37% 

3,58% 

1,90% 

0,18% 

4,69% 

3,56% 

0,24% 

0,26% 

NAC 

0,51% 

12,31% 

3,43% 

NAC 

1,18% 

0,10% 

0,65% 

0,96% 

5,51% 

100,00% 

IN % 

96,49% 

1,48% 

NAC: 

No analytical checks were performed in 2009. 

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
4. 

SUMMARY 

The  current  report  covers  the  period  from  1 January 2009  to  31 December 2009.  It 
contains  a  compilation  of  the  information  forwarded  to  the  Commission  by  the 
27 Member States. 

In 2009, 20 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 12 Member States in 
accordance  with  Article  7(2)  of  Directive 1999/2/EC.  One  approved  irradiation 
facility  has  been  closed.  Five  irradiation  facilities  did  not  irradiate  any  food  during 
2009. 

A total quantity of 6.637,17 tonnes of products were treated with ionising irradiation 
in  the  Member  States,  84,5%  of  which  were  irradiated  in  three  Member  States 
(Belgium,  France  and  the  Netherlands).  The  four  biggest  fractions  within  the 
irradiated categories are frog parts, herbs and spices, poultry and dehydrated products 
(respectively: 42,80%, 23,78%, 18,59%, 10,15%). 

27  Member  States  submitted  information  regarding  the  checks  carried  out  at  the 
product marketing stage. Three Member States did not perform any analytical checks 
in official control and inspection.  

A  total  of  6.265  samples  have  been  taken  by  24  Member  States.  Three  Member 
States  accounted  for  68,4%  of  the  samples  (Germany  50,58%,  The  Netherlands 
12,31%, United Kingdom 5,51%). 6.045 samples (96,49%) were compliant with the 
provisions of the Directives. 127 samples (2,03%) were non compliant. Reasons for 
non  compliance  are  most  often  related  to  incorrect  labelling  and  irradiation  of 
categories  for  which  this  is  not  authorised.  93  samples  (1,48%)  gave  inconclusive 
results. Reasons  for inconclusive results are most often  related  to non-confirmation 
after positive results from screening tests and/or to the difficulty to determine which 
of the ingredients were irradiated in composite foodstuffs, even if they are labelled. 

EN 

19 

   EN