REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2011
Date: 2012-11-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, disclosure of information, food additive, food inspection, foodstuff, ionising radiation

EUROPEAN 
COMMISSION 

Brussels, 14.11.2012  
COM(2012) 659 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION 
FOR THE YEAR 2011 

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 2011 

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 2011  to  31 December 2011.  It 
contains  a  compilation  of  the  information  forwarded  to  the  Commission  by 
25 Member States. Bulgaria and Malta did not submit any data. 

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(3)  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 265, 1.9.2012, p. 3. 
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 2011. 

2.1.  Belgium 

There is one facility approved. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose
(kGy) 

Dried  aromatic  herbs,  spices  and 
vegetable seasonings 

Frozen frog legs 

Poultry 

Fish, shellfish & molluscs 

Dehydrated  blood, 
coagulates  

plasma 

and 

Vegetables  

Rice meal 

Egg white 

Gum arabic 

Colostrum  (for  veterinary  research 
only) 

Total 

2.2.  Bulgaria 

238,129 

3050,944 

1378,752 

153,122 

84,1 

4,86 

44,25 

32,805 

2,1 

41,887 

5030,949 

6 - 9 

5 

5 

3 – 5 

6 – 9 

3 – 5 

3 

3 

3 

0 - 10 

There are two facilities approved. No data was submitted for 2011. 

2.3.  Czech Republic 

There is one facility approved. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

2.4.  Germany 

24,2 

24,2 

4-10 

There  are  four  facilities  approved.  No  food  was  irradiated  in  two  of  these 
facilities. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

152 

152 

<10 

EN 

4 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.5.  Spain 

There  are  two  facilities  approved.  No  food  was  irradiated  in  one  of  these 
facilities. 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

2.6.  Estonia 

There is one facility approved. 

307,546 

307,546 

<10 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

2.7.  France 

There are five facilities approved. 

19,2 

19,2 

10 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose 
(kGy) 

Poultry 

Gum Arabic 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Frozen frog legs 

Total 

2.8.  Hungary  

There is one facility approved. 

114,418 

69,198 

0,66 

510,625 

694,901 

5 

3 

10 

5 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose (kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

2.9.  Italy  

142 

142 

3-8 

There is one facility approved. No food was irradiated in 2011. 

EN 

5 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
2.10.  The Netherlands 

There are two facilities approved. 

Category of  
products 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Frog parts 

Poultry meat 

Dehydrated vegetables 

Egg white 

Shrimps (frozen) 

Total 

2.11.  Poland 

There are two approved facilities. 

Category of  
products 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

2.12.  Romania 

There is one approved facility.  

Treated  
quantity (t) 

199,585 

352,611 

111,955 

446,802 

421,982 

38,478 

1572,878 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

105,8 

105,8 

Average absorbed dose (kGy) 

6.4-7.3 

4 

5 

2-4 

1.3 

3 

Average absorbed dose (kGy) 

5-10 

Category of  
products 

Treated  
quantity (t) 

Average absorbed dose (kGy) 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Total 

20 

20 

8 

2.13.  The United Kingdom 

There is one approved facility. No food was irradiated in 2011. 

2.14.  Other Member States 

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

EN 

6 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.15.  Summary 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 2011: 

BE 

CZ 

DE 

EE 

ES 

FR 

HU 

NL 

PL 

RO 

Total 

% 

Category of 
products 

Dehydrated 
blood 

84,1 

Egg white 

32,8 

Fish, 
Shellfish, 
Shrimps 

153,1 

Frog legs  

3050,9 

Gum arabic 

2,1 

Poultry 

1378,7 

Rice meal 

Vegetables 

Dehydrated 
products 

Other 

Total 

44,2 

4,8 

0 

41,9 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

510,6 

69,2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

422 

38,5 

352,6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

84,1 

1,04 

454,8 

5,64 

191,6 

2,37 

3914,1  48,52 

71,3 

0,88 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

114,4 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

111,9 

0 

0 

446,8 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1605,0  19,89 

44,2 

4,8 

0,55 

0,06 

446,8 

5,54 

41,9 

0,52 

Herbs and 
spices 

238,1 

24,2 

152 

19,2 

307,5 

0,6 

142 

199,6 

105,8 

20 

1208,9  14,98 

5030,7 

24,2 

152 

19,2 

307,5 

694,8 

142 

1571,4  105,8 

20 

8067,5 

100 

% of total 

62,36 

0,30 

1,88 

0,24 

3,81 

8,61 

1,76 

19,48 

1,31 

0,25 

100 

EN 

7 

   EN 

 
  
3. 

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

The  following  tables  show  the  results  of  the  checks  carried  out  at  the  product 
marketing stage and the methods used to detect treatment with ionising radiation. 

3.1.  Austria 

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Herbal teas 

Poultry meat 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.2.  Belgium 

Food analysed 

Fruit 

Food supplements 

Noodles 

Vegetables  

Herbs 

Crustaceans 

Molluscs 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

* irradiation not allowed 

3.3.  Bulgaria 

Number of samples: 126 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

44 

39 

43 

126 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100 % 

0% 

0% 

CEN method used 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

EN 1786 

CEN method used 

EN 1788 

Number of samples: 123 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

8 

19 

26 

12 

13 

21 

22 

121 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2* 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

98,4 % 

0 % 

1,6 % 

No data was submitted for 2011. 

EN 

8 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
  
3.4.  Cyprus  

Food analysed 

Dried vegetables, herbs and 
spices 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 6 

CEN method used 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

6 

6 

0 

0 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

ΕΝ 13751 

100 % 

0 % 

0 % 

3.5.  Czech Republic 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 40 

Fish and shellfish 

Herbal tea products 

Spices 

Dietary supplements 

Instant noodle soups 

Poultry 

Fresh fruit 

Dried mushrooms 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.6.  Germany 

1 

11 

8 

1 

3 

3 

3 

3 

33 

1 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

7 

EN 1785 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1785 

EN 1788, EN 1785 

EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

82,5 % 

17,5 % 

0% 

Food analysed 

Number of samples: 2.912 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

Cheese, cheese preparations 
with herbs and spices  

Cheese, cheese preparations 
without herbs and spices 

Seasoned butter  

Eggs and egg products 

Meat (excl. poultry and 
game) 

Poultry 

Meat products (excl. 
Saussage products) 

Sausage products 

Fish and fish products 

37 

33 

5 

4 

4 

92 

46 

47 

44 

EN 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4* 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

9 

CEN method used 

EN 1787, EN 1788,  

ASU§64 LFGB, L00.00-
39 

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

EN 1787  

EN 1784  

EN 1786 

EN 1784, EN 1786 

EN 1786, EN 1784, 
EN 1788 

EN 1786, EN 1784 

EN 1786, EN 1788, 
EN 1789 

   EN 

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

Soups, sauces, including 
instant soups and meals 

Cereals and ceral products 

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 

Ready meals and dishes 

Food supplements 

148 

239 

44 

44 

26 

17 

40 

11 

142 

65 

49 

2 

211 

9 

121 

Seasonings and condiments 

183 

Dried herbs and spices 

1084 

Others 

Enzymes 

Total 

98 

4 

2.849 

0 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

10 

1 

0 

17 

EN 1788, EN 1786, 
EN 1787, EN 1384, EN 
13751, ASU§64 
LFGB,L12.01-1,  

EN 1787, EN 1788, 
EN 13751 

EN 1787, EN 1788, 
EN 13751 

EN 1787, EN 1788, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 1788, EN 13751, EN 
1787 

EN 1784, EN 1788, EN 
1787, EN 13751, EN 
1385 

EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 
13708 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

EN 1788, EN 13751, EN 
1787 

EN 1788, EN 1786, EN 
13751 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751, 
Thermoluminescence 

EN 1788, EN 13751, EN 
1787, 
Thermoluminescence 

EN 1788, EN 1787, 
EN 13751, 
Thermoluminescence 

EN 1788, EN 13751, EN 
13708 

EN 1788, EN 13751 

2* 

2** 

2* 

5** 

3** 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6* 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

12* 

3** 

7**  

0 

0 

46 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

97,83% 

0,58% 

1,58% 

* irradiation not allowed; ** not correctly labelled 

EN 

10 

   EN 

 
 
 
3.7.  Denmark 

Food analysed 

Dietary supplements 

Herbs and spices 

Herbal tea 

Dried instant noodles 

Soups and sauces 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

* irradiation not allowed 

3.8.  Estonia  

Number of samples: 98 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

23 

42 

3 

16 

8 

92 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3*  

0 

0 

3* 

0 

6 

94 % 

0 % 

6 % 

CEN method used 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

In 2011 no checks were carried out at the product marketing stage. There is no 
laboratory  in  Estonia  carrying  out  analyses  for  ionising  radiation.  Due  to  the 
limited financial resources, samples were not sent abroad for analysis. 

3.9.  Greece 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Tea 

Herbs 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.10.  Spain 

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Infusions  

Dried fruits  

Molluscs 

Meat 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

** not correctly labelled 

Number of samples: 20 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

9 

9 

2 

20 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100% 

0% 

0% 

CEN method used 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

Number of samples: 208 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

156 

18 

13 

8 

7 

202 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

1**  

EN 1787, EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13708, EN 1787 

EN 1786 

EN 1786 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

97,12 % 

2,4 % 

0,48 % 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.11.  Finland 

Food analysed 

Dried spices and herbs 

Food  supplements,  foods 
for special dietary use 

Fruit, berries, vegetables 

Tea and herbal preparations 

Other preparations 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 193 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

95 

35 

11 

20 

24 

185 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

95,8 % 

0 % 

2 

3 

0 

1 

2 

8**  

4,2 % 

** not correctly labelled or from facilities without EU approval 

CEN method used 

EN 13751, EN 1788  

EN 13751, EN 1788  

EN 13751, EN 1788  

EN 13751, EN 1788 

3.12.  France 

Food analysed 

Herbs and spices 

Frozen crustaceans or 
molluscs 

Dehydrated soups and sauces 

Food supplements 

Frogg legs 

Lamb 

Poultry 

Pre-cooked noodles 

Tea 

Dehydrated fruit, vegetables, 
mushrooms 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 112 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

18 

13 

9 

10 

4 

3 

11 

1 

13 

18 

100 

1 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

7 

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 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1788 

0 

0 

3**  

2*  

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

89,3% 

6,2% 

4,5% 

* irradiation not allowed; ** not correctly labelled 

3.13.  Hungary 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Tea 

Total 

Number of samples: 78 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

60 

18 

78 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

CEN method used 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

100% 

0 % 

0 % 

EN 

12 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.14.  Ireland 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Herbs and spices 

Seasonings 

Seeds 

Pasta 

Noodles 

Teas 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.15.  Italy  

CEN method used 

EN 13751 (screening), 
EN 1788 (confirmation) 

Number of samples: 110 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

13 

26 

6 

8 

2 

7 

48 

110 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100% 

0 % 

0 % 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 423 

Fish, molluscs, crostaceans  

144 

Herbs and spices 

Meat 

Garlic and onions  

Potatoes 

Dried mushrooms 

Vegetable seasonings 

Nuts 

Dried fruit 

Frog legs 

Fresh fruit 

Vegetable extracts 

Food supplements 

Wheat 

Vegetables 

Green tea 

Bakery products 

Total 

90 

67 

27 

19 

11 

9 

8 

8 

7 

6 

4 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

407 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

** not correctly labelled 

98,95 % 

0 % 

10  

1  

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13784, EN 1786, EN 
1788, EN 13751 

EN 13783, EN13751, 
EN 1787, EN 1788 

EN 1786, EN 13784, EN 
13751 

EN 1788, EN 13751, EN 
1787, EN 13783 

EN 1788, EN 13751, EN 
1787, EN 13783 

EN 13708, EN13751  

EN 1787, EN 13783 

EN 1787, EN 13708 

EN 1787, EN 13708 

5  

EN 1786, EN 1785  

EN 1787, EN 1788, EN 
13708 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1787  

EN 1788 

EN 13751 

EN 1787 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

16**  

1,05 % 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
3.16.  Latvia  

Food analysed 

Number of samples: 42 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Mushrooms (salted, frozen) 

13 

2 

4 

10 

1 

2 

1 

3 

37 

88 % 

Food supplements 

Dried herbs and spices 

Fish and crustaceans 

Garlic 

Soy sauce 

Pomello 

Mineral water 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

* irradiation not allowed 

3.17.  Lithuania 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

MI 2143-91 VNIIMS 

SDP 5.4.4R.01:2010 

SSI- Rapport 93-11(Sr 
90) 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

MI 2143-91 VNIIMS 

SDP 5.4.4R.01:2010 

EN 1788 

MI 2143-91 VNIIMS 

MI 2143-91 VNIIMS 

MI 2143-91 VNIIMS 

SSI- Rapport 93-11(Sr 
90) 

0 

5*  

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 % 

12 % 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 90 

Food supplements 

Herbs and spices 

Tea 

Dried vegetables 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.18.  Luxembourg 

23 

16 

34 

17 

90 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13783 

EN 13783 

EN 1378 

EN 1378 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100% 

0 % 

0 % 

Number of samples: 20 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

5*  

0 

5 

CEN method used 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

5 

10 

15 

0 

0 

0 

75% 

0% 

25% 

Food supplements 

Noodles 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

* irradiation not allowed 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.19.  Malta 

No data was submitted for 2011. 

3.20.  The Netherlands 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 303 

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 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.21.  Poland 

26 

28 

40 

40 

26 

31 

98 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

9 

289 

14 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

95,4% 

4,6 % 

0% 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 229 

Dried herbs and spices  

Nuts 

Vegetables (including 
pulses) 

Fruits 

Fish and sea food 

Teas 

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

Pre-prepared meals 

Meat, offal, meat products 

Food supplements 

Food for particular 
nutritional uses 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

** not correctly labelled 

75 

21 

14 

20 

22 

9 

10 

15 

16 

12 

6 

225 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 1787 

EN 1788 

EN 1784, EN 1787 

EN 1786, EN 1788 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1786, EN 1784 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 1788 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

2 

0 

4**  

98,25 % 

0 % 

1,75 % 

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
3.22.  Portugal  

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 12 

Herbs, spices and vegetable 
extracts 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

3.23.  Romania 

12 

12 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100% 

0 % 

0 % 

PSL technique 
(Photostimulated 
Luminescence) 

Number of samples: 79 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Dried aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegatable seasonings 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

78 

78 

0 

0 

98,7 % 

0 % 

*** irradiated in a facility without EU approval 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

1*** 

EN 1787, EN 13751 

1 

1,3% 

3.24.  Sweden 

Food analysed 

Poultry meat (from different 
birds)  

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 5 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

5 

5 

0 

0 

CEN method used 

EN 1784 

Non-
compliant 

0 

0 

100% 

0 % 

0 % 

3.25.  Slovak Republic 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 18 

Nuts 

Oil seeds 

Tuna in oil, crushed 

Biscuits and cereal bars 

Meat product 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

10 

3 

1 

3 

1 

18 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1788 

EN 1784 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

100% 

0 % 

0 % 

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.26.  Slovenia 

Food analysed 

Spices 

Food supplements 

Garlic 

Rice 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

Number of samples: 20 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

8 

4 

4 

1 

17 

0 

1 

0 

2 

3 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

EN 13751, EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

85 % 

15 % 

0 % 

3.27.  United Kingdom 

Food analysed 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

CEN method used 

Number of samples: 130  

Dried herbs, spices and 
vegetable seasonings 

Fresh and preserved (other 
than dried) herbs and 
spices 

Miscellaneous 

Noodles and dehydrated 
Asian meals 

Vegetables  

Soups and sauces 

Food supplements 

Dried fish and seafood 

Total 

Total in % of analysed 
samples 

51 

14 

5 

10 

1 

11 

17 

8 

117 

2 

0 

0 

2 

0 

1 

2 

0 

7 

90,00 % 

5,4 % 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

EN13751, EN 1788 

2 

0 

0 

2 

0 

1 

1 

0 

6** 

4,6 % 

** not correctly labelled and no evidence provided as to irradiation carried out in an approved facility  

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
3.28.  Summary for the EU 

The following table summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained 
for the European Union 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 

126 

121 

NDS 

6 

33 

2849 

92 

NAC 

20 

202 

185 

100 

78 

110 

407 

37 

90 

15 

NDS 

289 

225 

12 

78 

5 

18 

17 

117 

5232 

97% 

NDS: No data submitted  
NAC: No analysis carried out 

0 

0 

NDS 

0 

7 

17 

0 

0 

2 

NDS 

0 

0 

46 

6 

NAC 

NAC 

0 

5 

0 

7 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

NDS 

14 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

7 

60 

1% 

0 

1 

8 

5 

0 

0 

16 

5 

0 

5 

NDS 

0 

4 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

6 

105 

2% 

126 

123 

NDS 

6 

40 

2912 

98 

NAC 

20 

208 

193 

112 

78 

110 

423 

42 

90 

20 

NDS 

303 

229 

12 

79 

5 

18 

20 

130 

5397 

100% 

2,3% 

2,2% 

0,1% 

0,7% 

54,0% 

1,8% 

0,4% 

3,8% 

3,5% 

2,0% 

1,4% 

2,0% 

7,8% 

0,8% 

1,7% 

0,4% 

5,6% 

4,2% 

0,2% 

1,5% 

0,1% 

0,3% 

0,4% 

2,4% 
100% 

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. 

SUMMARY 

The  current  report  covers  the  period  from  1 January 2011  to  31 December 2011.  It 
contains  a  compilation  of  the  information  forwarded  to  the  Commission  by 
25 Member States. Bulgaria and Malta did not submit any data. 

In 2011, 24 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 13 Member States in 
accordance  with  Article  7(2)  of  Directive 1999/2/EC.  No  new  irradiation  facilities 
have  been  approved.  No  approved  irradiation  facilities  have  been  closed.  Five 
irradiation  facilities  did  not  irradiate  any  food  during  2011  (no  data  was  submitted 
for the two facilities in Bulgaria). 

A total quantity of 8.067,5 tonnes of products were treated with ionising irradiation 
in  the  Member  States,  90,45  %  of  which  were  irradiated  in  three  Member  States: 
Belgium (62,36%), the Netherlands (19,48%) and France (8,61%). The three biggest 
fractions  within  the  irradiated  categories  are  frog  legs  (48,52%),  poultry  (19,89%) 
and dried aromatic herbs and spices (14,98%). 

There has been a slight decrease in the total quantity of products irradiated in the EU 
compared  to  2010  (9.263,4  tonnes).  In  France,  there  was  a  significant  reduction  in 
the quantity of dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings as well as in the 
quantity of poultry meat treated with ionising radiation: 65% and 75% respectively. 
In  the  Netherlands,  there  was  a  2,85%  increase  in  the  total  quantity  of  products 
treated with ionising radiation, mainly due to a sharp increase of the quantity of egg 
whites irradiated in 2011. 

25  Member  States  submitted  information  regarding  the  checks  carried  out  at  the 
product marketing stage. One Member State did not perform any analytical checks in 
official  control  and  inspection  due  to  the  fact  that  it  does  not  have  laboratories  to 
carry out the analysis and that sending samples to be analysed abroad would be too 
expensive.  

A  total  of  5.397  samples  have  been  analysed  by  24  Member  States,  three  Member 
States  accounted  for  67,4%  of  the  samples  (Germany  54%,  Italy  7,8%,  and  the 
Netherlands 5,6%). 5.232 samples (97%) were compliant with the provisions of the 
Directives,  105  samples  (2%)  were  non-compliant,  60  samples  (1%)  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,  even  if  they  are  labelled,  in 
composed  foodstuffs.  The  two  main  reasons  for  non-compliance  of  tested  samples 
are  incorrect  labelling  and  forbidden  irradiation;  non-compliance  is  also  due  to 
irradiation  in  facilities  not  approved  by  the  EU.  Reasons  for  non-compliance  are 
given in each table reporting the tests carried out in each Member State. 

EN 

19 

   EN