Importing irradiated food
Monday 17 December 2007
In the UK, local authorities and port health authorities are responsible for controlling imports of irradiated foods, including appropriate testing. Certain foods that have been irradiated may be imported into the UK, as long as they comply with certain rules.
The Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990 set out the requirements for producing, importing and selling irradiated food in the UK. These Regulations were amended by the Food Irradiation Provisions (England) Regulations 2000 and the Food (Control of Irradiation) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2002, which implement European Directives 1999/2/EC and 1999/3/EC. Parallel legislation exists in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The regulations include details of the seven categories of food that may be irradiated before importation to and sale in the UK, the licensing of food irradiation facilities and restrictions applying to imports.
Food irradiated at a facility in a Member State
Imported food that has been irradiated in a Member State is permitted in the UK as long as it:
- is one of the seven categories of irradiated food allowed in the UK (fruit, vegetables, cereals, bulbs and tubers, spices and condiments, fish and shellfish, and poultry)
- was irradiated in a plant authorised by the Competent Authority of that Member State
- is labelled 'irradiated' or 'treated with ionising radiation'
- is accompanied by full and correct documentation relating to the irradiation treatment
Food Irradiated at a facility in a non-European Union country (a non-EU irradiation facility)
Imported food that has been irradiated in a non-EU country is permitted in the UK as long as it:
- is a herb or spice
- was irradiated in a food irradiation facility approved by the European Community
- is labelled 'irradiated' or 'treated with ionising radiation'
- is accompanied by full and correct documentation relating to the irradiation treatment
At present, there are seven European Community approved facilities in non-EU countries; three in South Africa, two in Thailand, one in Switzerland and one in Turkey.
The only types of food irradiated in non-EU countries currently permitted under UK legislation are herbs and spices irradiated at facilities approved by the European Community. Irradiation facilities cannot be 'recognised' by the FSA unless they are first approved by the European Community. The FSA has not recognised and will not recognise any facilities that the European Community has not approved.
This is Food Standards Agency advice; ultimately it would be for a court of law to decide whether in particular circumstances an offence has been committed.