Foods and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation. Framework Directive

This proposal for a Council Directive concerns the control of irradiation of foodstuffs. The rationale behind the proposed legislation is twofold: to guarantee a high level of protection to the consumer and to ensure the free circulation of irradiated foods. As food irradiation is already permitted in some Member States, the Commission's proposal aims to ensure high standards throughout the EC and that differing national rules do not obstruct trade. The main aspects of the proposal are as follows : - restriction of irradiation to a limited list of foodstuffs. (in all the cases, there is a specific justification for permitting irradiation : e.g. to decrease the use of chemicals and reduce the risk of disease. - specification of maximum doses permitted and of radiation sources which may be used. - provisions for the labelling of irradiated foods at the wholesale stage. - requirements for the registration of irradiation facilities. Third countries exporting irradiated foods to the EC would have to ensure their irradiation facilities complied with similar provisions. - simplified procedures under which the Directive may be modified to take account of technical progress. �