REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION FOR THE YEAR 2014
Date: 2015-12-17
Institutions: Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission
Subjects: food inspection, food safety, foodstuff, health control, ionising radiation, irradiated product, irradiation, labelling

EUROPEAN 
COMMISSION 

Brussels, 17.12.2015  
COM(2015) 665 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION 
FOR THE YEAR 2014 

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 2014 

2 

 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The  current  report,  provided  for  by  Article  7(4)  of  Directive  1999/2/EC  of  the 
European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the 
Member  States  concerning  foods  and  food  ingredients  treated  with  ionising 
radiation1, covers the period from 1st January to 31 December 2014. It contains a 
compilation  of  the  information  forwarded  to  the  European  Commission  by 
27 Member States and one EFTA country. Croatia did not submit data for 2014. 

2. 

LEGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND 

Article 7(3)  of  Directive  1999/2/EC,  requires  Member  States  to  forward  to  the 
Commission every year: 

– 

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

and 

– 

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  every  year  by  the  national  supervisory 
authorities. 

Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the  
Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers2. 

2.1. 

Irradiation facilities 

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)  of  Directive  1999/2/EC 
requires  Member  States  to  inform  the  Commission  on  the  list  of  their 
approved irradiation facilities. 

Irradiation of food and food ingredients may only be carried out by means 
of the following sources, listed in Annex II to the Directive: 

–  Gamma rays from radionuclides 60Co or 137Cs; 

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

2 

3 

 
 
                                                 
–  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  Member  States  is  publicly 
available, as it was published by the Commission3. 

2.2. 

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  on  the  establishment  of  a  Community  list  of  food  and 
food ingredients treated with ionising radiation4. In addition, seven Member 
States  have  notified  to  the  Commission  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 
Standardisation (CEN), following a mandate given by the Commission. 

3.  RESULTS  OF  CHECKS  CARRIED  OUT  IN  IRRADIATION  FACILITIES  AND  DOSES 

ADMINISTERED 

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

The  following  tables  and  figures  show  the  results  of  checks  carried  out  in  the 
approved  irradiation  facilities  in  Europe  in  2014,  in  particular  concerning  the 
categories  and  quantities  of  food  and  food  ingredients  treated  and  the  doses 
administered. 

3  OJ C 265, 1.9.2012, p. 3. 
4  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  
(OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 24). 
5  OJ C 283, 24.11.2009, p. 5. 

4 

 
 
                                                 
3.1. 

Summary for the EU 

The  following  table  summarises  the  quantities  of  foodstuffs  (in  tonnes) 
treated by ionising radiation in the approved irradiation facilities located in 
13 Member States within the European Union:  

Member State 

Number of approved facilities 

Treated quantity (tonnes) 

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Germany 

Estonia 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Hungary 

Netherlands 

Poland 

Romania 

United Kingdom 

Total EU-MS: 

Norway 

Total: 

1 

2 

1 

4 

1 

3* 

5 

1 

1 

2 

2* 

1 

1 

25 

1 

26 

 3289.6 

  No food irradiated 

20.1 

97.3 

33.7 

233.1 

463.3 

 No food irradiated 

70.0 

1308.2 

55.0 

No food irradiated 

 No food irradiated 

5543.3 

7.6 

5550.9 

* 

Food was irradiated only in one approved irradiation facility. 

There  are  25  approved  irradiation  facilities  within  the  European  Union 
located  in  13  Member  States.  Only  8  out  of  13  Member  States  irradiated 
foodstuffs in 2014.  

The following histogram summarises the quantities of foodstuffs (in tonnes) 
and  the  category  of  products  treated  by  ionising  radiation  in  approved 
irradiation facilities within the European Union in 2014: 

5 

 
 
)
s
e
n
n
o
t
(
y
t
i
t
n
a
u
Q

3500.00

3000.00

2500.00

2000.00

1500.00

1000.00

500.00

 0

Shrimps

Offal of poultry

Frozen frog legs

Dried vegetables
and fruits

Dehydrated blood,
plasma, coagulates

Chicken meat

BE

FR

DE

PL

CZ

There are no approved facilities in the following Member States: Denmark, 
Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovenia, 
Slovakia,  Finland,  Sweden,  Portugal.  No  information  is  available  to  date 
regarding the situation in Croatia and in Malta. 

The  following  tables  show  the  categories  of  products  irradiated  in  the 
Member States concerned and the doses administered. 

3.2.  Belgium 

Foodstuffs 

Dehydrated blood, plasma, coagulates 

Frozen frog legs 

Offal of poultry 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

4.9 - 6.4 

3.9 - 4.8 

3.5 - 4.8 

6 

 
 
 
 
3.3.  Czech Republic 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

4.04 - 9.95 

3.4.  Germany 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

10 

3.5.  Estonia 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

10 

3.6. 

Spain 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

8.98 - 10 

3.7.  France  

Foodstuffs 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

Frozen frog legs 

3.8.  Hungary 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

5-10 

1-10 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

2 - 8 

3.9.  Netherlands 

Foodstuffs 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

Chicken meat 

Dried vegetables and fruits 

Frozen frog legs 

Shrimps 

3.10.  Poland 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

4-8 

5 

2-8 

4 

3 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

5 - 10 

3.11.  Norway 

Foodstuffs 

Absorbed dose (kGy) 

Aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasoning (dried) 

10 

7 

 
 
 
4.  RESULTS  OF  CHECKS  CARRIED  OUT  AT  THE  PRODUCT  MARKETING  STAGE  AND 

METHODS USED TO DETECT IRRADIATED FOODS 

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

4.1. 

Summary for the EU 

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

Member 
State 

Compliant

Inconclusive 

Non-
compliant 

Total 
samples 

% Versus EU 
total samples 

2 

0 

5 

NCP 

22 

NCP 

1 

NCP 

0 

4 

NDS 

9 

NCP 

2 

0 

2 

3 

4 

0 

0 

3 

0 

2 

0 

0 

10 

109 

4 

30 

NCP 

3214 

NCP 

81 

NCP 

204 

178 

NDS 

552 

NCP 

14 

59 

11 

128 

30 

88 

64 

377 

11 

243 

19 

24 

289 

1,9% 

0,1% 

0,5% 

NCP 

55,6% 

NCP 

1,4% 

NCP 

3,5% 

3,1% 

0% 

9,6% 

NCP 

0,2% 

1,0% 

0,2% 

2,2% 

0,5% 

1,5% 

1,1% 

6,5% 

0,2% 

4,2% 

0,3% 

0,4% 

5,0% 

BE 

BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

HR 

IT 

CY 

LV 

LT 

LU 

HU 

MT 

NL 

AT 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SI 

SK 

FI 

92 

4 

20 

NCP 

3179 

NCP 

80 

NCP 

204 

174 

NDS 

533 

NCP 

12 

59 

8 

125 

22 

88 

64 

372 

11 

240 

17 

24 

273 

15 

0 

5 

NCP 

13 

NCP 

0 

NCP 

0 

0 

NDS 

10 

NCP 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

2 

0 

1 

2 

0 

6 

8 

 
 
SE 

UK 

Total 
EU 

NCP 

45 

5646 

NCP 

1 

59 

NCP 

4 

73 

NCP 

50 

5779 

NCP 

0,9% 

100% 

97,7% 

1,0% 

1,3% 

100,0% 

NDS: No data submitted; NCP: No check performed 

9 

 
 
 
The  following  histogram  summarises  the  samples  analysed  and  the  results 
obtained per EU Member State: 

10 

 
 
 
4.2.  Belgium. Number of Samples: 109 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed 
at product marketing 
stage 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
Compliant 

Number of Samples: 109 

Fruit (dried) 

Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 

Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 

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

Herbs and spices 
(frozen) 

Tea 

Frog legs 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and 
their products 

Herbs and spices 

Meat and meat 
products 

Other 

Food supplements 

Total: 

5 

3 

3 

26 

14 

21 

11 

9 

92 

0 

0 

1 

2 

6 

0 

2 

4 

15 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2* 

2 

Total % of analysed samples: 

84,4% 

13,8% 

1,8% 

* 

irradiation not allowed 

4.3.  Bulgaria. Number of Samples: 4 

Foodstuff 
category 

Herbs and 
spices 

Foodstuffs analysed 
at product marketing 
stage 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 

Tea 

Total: 

Number of Samples: 4 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
Compliant 

2 

1 

1 

4 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples: 

100% 

0% 

0% 

CEN 
method 
used 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

CEN 
method 
used 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

11 

 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
Other 

* 

** 

4.4.  Czech Republic. Number of Samples: 30 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed 
at product 
marketing stage 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
Compliant 

Number of Samples: 30 

Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their products  Vegetables and 

2 

3 

4 

2 

5 

4 

vegetable products 
(dried) 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 

Herbal teas / Infusions 

Food supplements 

Soup 

Total: 

20 

Herbs and spices 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

3 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2* 

3** 

5 

CEN 
method 
used 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

Total % of analysed samples: 

66,7% 

16,7% 

16,7% 

Both  samples  were  identified  as  being  positive  for  irradiation.  The  irradiated  products  were  not 
labelled. In one case the indication of treatment was not given on the documents accompanying or 
referring to irradiated foodstuffs so it was not clear whether the products were irradiated in facility 
approved  by  the  EU  or  not.  In  the  second  case  the  foodstuffs  were  irradiated  in  facility  not 
approved by the EU. 
The  samples  were  identified  as  being  positive  for  irradiation.  The  irradiated  products  were  not 
labelled. The indication of treatment was not given on the documents accompanying or referring 
to  irradiated  foodstuffs  so  it  was  not  clear  whether  the  products  were  irradiated  in    facility 
approved by the EU. 

4.5.  Denmark  

No checks were carried out at product marketing stage in 2014. 

4.6.  Germany. Number of Samples: 3214 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing 
stage 

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
Compliant 

Number of Samples: 3214 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their products 

Cereal products 

Fruit (dried) 

Fruits (fresh) 

Mushrooms (fresh) 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

19 

98 

59 

1 

12 

CEN 
method 
used 

EN 1788; 
EN 1787 

EN 13708; 
EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 

Potatoes 

Pulses 

Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 

Vegetables (fresh) 

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

Fish and fish products 

Fish and seafood 
(dried) 

155 

7 

187 

42 

28 

197 

43 

16 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and their 
products 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 

1228 

Herbs and spices 

Other (condiments) 

229 

Tea 

Meat (except poultry 
and game) 

Meat (from different 
birds, kangaroo, hare) 

Meat products (except 
sausages) 

Other 

Sausage products 

Butter (with herbs) 

Cheese (containing 
spices/herbs) 

Cheese (preparations 
without herbs and 
spices) 

182 

9 

119 

40 

13 

19 

3 

48 

27 

13 

Meat and meat 
products 

Milk and milk 
products 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1788; 
EN 1785; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1786; 
EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1786; 
EN 1788 

EN 1786; 
EN 1788 

EN 1788; 
EN 1785; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 1785; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 1785; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1786 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 1784; 
EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 1787 

EN 1784 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1* 

4* 

0 

2** 

1** 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 
 
Other 

Milk and milk products 

Food supplements 

Meals and dishes 
(prepared) 

Other  

Sauces and soups 
(dehydrated) 

15 

139 

31 

21 

204 

Total:

3179 

0 

2 

0 

0 

6 

13 

EN 1787 

EN 1786; 
EN 13751 

EN 1786; 
EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1784; 
EN 1788; 
EN 1787; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

2* 

7* 

2* 

0 

3* 

22 

Total % of analysed samples: 

98,9% 

0,4% 

0,7% 

* 
** 

irradiation not allowed 
erroneously labelled 

4.7.  Estonia 

Due  to  budgetary  restrictions,  no  checks  were  carried  out  at  product 
marketing stage in Estonia in 2014. 

4.8. 

Ireland: Number of Samples: 81 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 81 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Berries 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables and fruit 

Fruit (dried) 

Seeds 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Herbs and spices 

Other 

Tea 

Food for particular 
nutritional uses 

Food supplements 

Total:

8 

4 

1 

2 

19 

8 

6 

32 

80 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1* 

1 

Total % of analysed samples:

98,8% 

0,0% 

1,2% 

* 

erroneously labelled 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.9.  Greece 

No checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Greece in 2014 as 
there were no findings of non compliant products from previous controls. A 
control  program  of  10  samples  (herbs  and  spices)  has  been  planned  for 
2015. 

4.10.  Spain. Number of Samples: 204 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 204 

Fruit (dried) 

Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 

Nuts 

Oil seeds 

Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 

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

Fish and fish products 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Herbal teas / Infusions 

Herbs and spices (fresh) 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and 
their products 

Herbs and spices 

Meat and meat 
products 

Poultry meat 

18 

10 

11 

15 

14 

20 

8 

39 

13 

52 

4 

Total:

204 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13708 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1787 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 

EN 1786 

EN 1786 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1787 
EN 13751 

EN 1786 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

100,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
4.11.  France. Number of Samples: 178 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 178 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and 
their products 

Herbs and spices 

Meat and meat 
products 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables and fruit 

Other  

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

Fish and fish products 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Frog legs 

Meat and meat products 

Total:

46 

8 

19 

1 

45 

9 

46 

174 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

97,8% 

0,0% 

irradiation not allowed 

* 
**  erroneously labelled 

4.12.  Italy. Number of Samples: 552 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1787 

EN 1788 

EN 1786 

2* 

EN 1786 

EN 1788 

EN 1786 

EN 1784 

0 

0 

2** 

4 

2,2% 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 552 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Dried spices  

119 

Dried tomatoes 

Fruit (dried) 

Fruits (fresh) 

Garlic 

1 

9 

3 

14 

16 

6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13708 
EN 13784 
EN 1788 
EN 13783 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 13708 
EN 1788 
EN 1787 

EN 13708 
EN 13751 

EN 13784 
EN 1788 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 

Nuts 

Oil seeds 

Onions 

Other (crystallized 
ginger, tomato paste, 
sweet potato powder, 
hazelnut flour)  

Potatoes 

Pulses 

Rice 

Seeds 

Shallots 

Tea 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and 
their products 

Bivalve molluscs 
(unspecified) 

Cephalopods 
(unspecified) 

Clams 

crabs 

Crayfish 

Crustaceans 

16 

13 

3 

11 

4 

18 

13 

2 

2 

1 

8 

5 

8 

9 

1 

13 

5 

Fish and fish products 

33 

Mussels 

Octopuses 

Other 

13 

5 

12 

17 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13708 
EN 13784 
EN 1788 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 

EN 13784 
EN 1788 
EN 1787 
EN 13751 

EN 1787 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13783 
EN 13751 

EN 13784 
EN 1788 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13783 
EN 1787 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 
EN 1788 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 1785 
EN 13751 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 
EN 1785 
EN 13751 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 
EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

2* 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 
 
Prawns 

Scallops 

Shrimps 

Squids 

Frog legs 

11 

1 

21 

10 

11 

Meat and meat products 

5 

Meat and meat 
products 

Meat (except poultry 
and game) 

Meat, offal, meat 
products 

Poultry meat 

Food additive 

Food supplements 

Raw material of plant 
origin, intended for use 
as an ingredient in food 
supplement 

sauces (prepared) 

Total:

Other 

49 

1 

44 

1 

1 

34 

3 

533 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

10 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 
EN 1785 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 
EN 1785 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 
EN 1785 

EN 1785 

EN 13784 
EN 1786 
EN 1785 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4*** 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3** 

0 

9 

Total % of analysed samples:

96,6% 

1,8% 

1,6% 

* 
** 
*** 

erroneously labelled 
erroneously labelled and/or irradiation not allowed 
erroneously labelled and/or irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU 

4.13.  Cyprus 

Due to lack of laboratories carrying out analyses for ionising radiation, no 
checks were carried out at product marketing stage in Cyprus in 2014.  

4.14.  Latvia. Number of Samples: 14 

Number of Samples: 14 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Herbs and spices 

Aromatic  herbs,  spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Other 

Food supplements 

Total:

3 

9 

12 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

0 

2* 

2 

Total % of analysed samples:

85,7% 

0,0% 

14,3% 

* 

irradiation not allowed 

18 

 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
4.15.  Lithuania. Number of Samples: 59 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 59 

Herbs and spices 

Aromatic  herbs,  spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Tea 

Other 

Food supplements 

Total:

5 

7 

47 

59 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13783 

EN 13783 

EN 13783 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

100,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

4.16.  Luxembourg: Number of Samples: 11 

Number of Samples: 11 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Other 

Food supplements 

8 

8 

Total:

1 

1 

2* 

2 

EN 1788 

Total % of analysed samples:

72,7% 

9,1% 

18,2% 

* 

irradiation not allowed 

4.17.  Hungary. Number of Samples: 128 

Number of Samples: 128 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Herbs and spices 

Aromatic  herbs,  spices 
and  vegetable  seasoning 
(dried) 

125 

 Total:

125 

0 

0 

3* 

3 

EN 1788 

Total % of analysed samples:

97,7% 

0,0% 

2,3% 

* 

erroneously labelled 

4.18.  Malta. Number of Samples: 30 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive 

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 30 

Cereals, 
seed, 
vegetables,  fruit 
and 
their 
products 

Vegetables 
vegetable 
(dried) 

and 
products 

Herbs and spices 

Aromatic  herbs,  spices 
and vegetable  seasoning 
(dried) 

 Total:

1 

21 

22 

0 

4 

4 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

4* 

4 

Total % of analysed samples:

73,3% 

13,3% 

13,3% 

* 

erroneously labelled 

19 

 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
4.19.  Netherlands. Number of Samples: 88 

Number of Samples: 88 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Cereals, 
vegetables, 
and 
products 

seed, 
fruit 
their 

fruits 

grains 
products 

and 

grains 

nuts and seeds 

vegetable  and  vegetable 
products 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish 
and 
their products 

Shrimps 

Herbs and spices 

Aromatic  herbs,  spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Other 

bakery products 

game and poultry 

soup chips etc 

special food  

Total:

9 

13 

7 

8 

13 

15 

1 

9 

12 

1 

88 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

100,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

4.20.  Austria. Number of Samples: 64 

Number of Samples: 64 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs  analysed  at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Fruit (dried) 

Nuts 

33 

31 

64 

Total:

0 

0 

0 

EN 13708 

EN 1787 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

100,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

20 

 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
4.21.  Poland: Number of Samples: 377 

Foodstuffs category 

Foodstuffs analysed 
at product marketing 
stage 

Number of Samples: 377 

Compliant 

Inconclusive Non-Compliant 

Fruit (dried) 

Fruits (fresh) 

Fruit (tropical) 

Garlic 

Mushrooms (fresh) 

Mushrooms 
mushrooms 
products (dried) 

or 

Nuts 

Onions 

Potatoes 

Pulses 

Vegetables 
and 
vegetable  products 
(dried) 

Vegetables (fresh) 

Crustaceans 
molluscs (frozen) 

or 

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

Fish 
products 

and 

fish 

Prawns  and  snacks 
(fried) 

Shrimps 

Aromatic 
herbs, 
spices and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 

Herbal 
Infusions 

teas 

/ 

Other 

Tea 

seed, 
Cereals, 
vegetables, 
fruit 
and their products 

Fish,  crustaceans, 
shellfish  and  their 
products 

Herbs and spices 

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 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

3 

7 

16 

4 

5 

33 

1 

1 

2 

4 

3 

1 

2 

10 

1 

7 

98 

5 

3 

18 

21 

CEN 
method 
used 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1784 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1787 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1786 

EN 1786; 
EN 1788 

EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

 
 
  
  
 
Meat 

Meat 
products 

and  meat 

Meat 
poultry and game) 

(except 

Meat (from different 
birds, 
kangaroo, 
hare) 

Meat,  offal,  meat 
products 

Poultry meat 

Cheese  (containing 
spices/herbs) 

Cheese (cottage) 

Cheese (ripened) 

Cocoa 

Food  for  particular 
nutritional uses 

Food supplements 

Meals  and  dishes 
(prepared) 

Other  

Meat  and  meat 
products 

Milk  and  milk 
products 

Other 

13 

2 

4 

1 

2 

12 

36 

8 

3 

4 

11 

17 

3 

6 

Sauces  and  soups 
(dehydrated) 

Soup 

Total:

19 

2 

372 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 1784 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

EN 1784; 
EN 1786 

1* 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 1788; 
EN 13751 

EN 1788 

EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2** 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

Total % of analysed samples:

98,7% 

0,5% 

0,8% 

* 
** 

irradiation not allowed 
erroneously labelled, irradiation not allowed 

4.22.  Portugal: Number of Samples:11 

Foodstuff category 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their products 

Herbs and spices 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing 
stage 

Cereal products 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable 
seasoning (dried) 

Herbal teas / Infusions 

Tea 

Number of Samples: 11 

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

1 

2 

1 

1 

22 

 
 
  
  
  
  
 
Other 

Food supplements 

Other  

Sauces and soups 
(dehydrated) 

4 

1 

1 

Total:

11 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

100,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

* 

irradiation not allowed 

4.23.  Romania. Number of Samples: 243 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 243 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Herbs and spices 

Other 

Fruit (dried) 

Oil seeds 

Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Herbal teas / Infusions 

Tea 

Food supplements 

Other 

Total:

1 

1 

22 

147 

9 

12 

6 

42 

240 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

Total % of analysed samples:

98,8% 

0,4% 

* 
** 

irradiation not allowed 
irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU 

4.24.  Slovenia: Number of Samples: 19 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 1787  
EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1788  
EN 13751 
EN 1787 

EN 13751 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1* 

1** 

2 

0,8% 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 19 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Garlic 

Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Herbs and spices 

Other 

Tea 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

5 

2 

1 

5 

23 

 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
Meat and meat 
products 

Frog legs 

Other 

Sauces and soups 
(dehydrated) 

2 

0 

Total:

17 

0 

2 

2 

EN 1786 

EN 1788 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

89,5% 

10,5% 

0,0% 

4.25.  Slovakia: Number of Samples: 24 

Foodstuffs 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 24 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Herbs and spices 

Milk and milk 
products 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables and fruit 

Fruit (dried) 

Nuts 

Oil seeds 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Cheese (containing 
spices/herbs) 

Cheese (ripened) 

2 

1 

13 

1 

5 

1 

1 

 Total:

24 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

EN 1788 

EN 1784 

EN 1784 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total % of analysed samples:

100,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

4.27.  Finland: Number of Samples: 289 

Number of Samples: 289 

Foodstuffs 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Berries 

Berry products 

Cereal products 

Dried root products 

Fruit (dried) 

Mushrooms or 
mushrooms products 
(dried) 

Nut products 

Sea weed products 

Seeds 

Vegetables and 
vegetable products 
(dried) 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Herbal teas / Infusions 

Tea 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Herbs and spices 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

4 

2 

5 

5 

1 

4 

1 

7 

7 

14 

118 

11 

33 

24 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

1* 

EN 13751 

0 

0 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

2* 

EN 13751 

3** 

EN 13751 

0 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
Other 

Beverage ingredient 

Cocoa preparation  

Fat preparation 

Food for particular 
nutritional uses 

Food supplements 

Honey and other bee 
products 

Meals and dishes 
(prepared) 

Protein preparation 

Sauces and soups 
(dehydrated) 

Snacks product 

3 

1 

1 

5 

36 

1 

8 

1 

2 

3 

Total:

273 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

EN 13751 

0 

0 

0 

1* 

1* 

0 

0 

0 

1* 

1* 

10 

Total % of analysed samples:

94,5% 

2,1% 

3,5% 

* 
** 

irradiation not allowed 
erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU 

4.28.  Sweden 

Due to staff restriction no samples were analysed during the year 2014.  

4.29.  United Kingdom: Number of Samples: 50 

Foodstuff 
category 

Foodstuffs analysed at 
product marketing stage

Compliant 

Inconclusive

Non-
Compliant 

CEN method 
used 

Number of Samples: 50 

Cereals, seed, 
vegetables, fruit 
and their 
products 

Fish, crustaceans, 
shellfish and 
their products 

Herbs and spices 

Instant noodles 

Crustaceans or molluscs 
(frozen) 

Aromatic herbs, spices 
and vegetable seasoning 
(dried) 

Ginger (Pickled) 

Total:

17 

1 

26 

1 

45 

1 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1* 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

0 

EN 13751 

EN 1788 
EN 13751 

EN 13751 

3* 

0 

4 

Total % of analysed samples:

90,0% 

2,0% 

8,0% 

* 

erroneously labelled, irradiation in facilities not approved by the EU 

4.30.  Norway 

Due to lack of laboratories carrying out analyses for ionising radiation, no 
checks  were  carried  out  at  product  marketing  stage  in  Norwat  during  the 
year 2014.  

25 

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
5. 

SUMMARY 

The  current  report  covers  the  period  from  1 January   to  31 December 2014.  It 
contains  a  compilation  of  the  information  forwarded  to  the  Commission  by 
27 Member States. Croatia did not submit data for 2014.  

In 2014, 25 approved irradiation facilities were operational in 13 Member States, in 
accordance  with  Article  7(2)  of  Directive 1999/2/EC.  No  approved  irradiation 
facilities  have  been  closed.  Norway  submitted  data  on  quantities  of  foodstuff 
irradiated during the year 2014. 

A total quantity of 5543.3 tonnes of products were treated with ionising irradiation 
in EU Member States, 84% of which were irradiated mainly in two Member States: 
Belgium (59%) and Netherlands (24%). The two main commodities irradiated are 
frog  legs  (55%)  and  offal  of  poultry  (16.2%).  There  is  a  regular  decrease  in  the 
total  quantity  of  products  irradiated  in  the  EU  compared  to  the  previous  years: 
6876 tonnes irradiated in 2013 (decrease of 19% in 2014 compared with 2013) and 
7972 tonnes in 2012 (decrease of 14% in 2013 compared with 2012).  

Offal of poultry, 
16.2%

Shrimps, 1.5%

Aromatic herbs, 
spices and 
vegetable 
seasoning (dried), 
12.7%

Chicken meat, 
0.7%

Dehydrated blood, 
plasma, 
coagulates, 1.9%

Frozen frog 
legs, 55.0%

Dried vegetables 
and fruits, 12.0%

27 Member States submitted information on the checks carried out at the product 
marketing  stage.  Six  Member  States  and  Norway  did  not  perform  any  analytical 
checks at product marketing stake during the year 2014. 

A  total  of  5779  samples  were  analysed  by  21  Member  States  in  2014.  Three 
Member  States  accounted  for  71.7%  of  the  samples  (Germany  55.6%,  Italy  9.6% 
and  the  Netherlands  6.5%;  in  2013:  Germany  50.5%,  Italy  9.7%  and  the 
Netherlands  6.3%).  Germany  remains  the  leader  in  terms  of  controlling  food 
products  at  marketing  stage.  5646  samples  (97.7%)  were  compliant  with  the 
provisions  of  Directive  1999/2/EC,  73  samples  (1.3%)  were  non-compliant,  and 
59 samples  (1.0%)  gave  inconclusive  results.  The  two  main  reasons  for  non-
compliance of tested samples were similar to the previous years, namely, incorrect 
labelling and forbidden irradiation; non-compliance was also due to irradiation  in 

26 

 
 
 
facilities  not  approved  by  the  EU.  Reasons  for  non-compliance  are  given  in  each 
table reporting the tests carried out in each Member State. 

27