HC Deb 20 January 1992 vol 202 cc22-3W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each EC country where food irradiation is permitted and the products which can be irradiated in each case; what information he has on irradiation of products from non-EC countries imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the following list of food irradiation approvals. The Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990 establish that irradiated foods may only be imported from countries outside the Community which have legislative controls and enforcement arrangements at least equivalent to those in Great Britain. No country has been approved to supply the Great Britain market with irradiated food.

Foodstuffs listed as approved for irradiation in the EC

  • Belgium
  • potatoes
  • strawberry
  • onions
  • garlic
  • shallots
  • black/white pepper
  • paprika powder
  • arabic gum
  • spices
  • (semi)-dried vegetables
  • shrimps
  • herbal tea
Denmark
  • spices and herbs
  • France
  • potatoes
  • onions
  • garlic
  • shallot
  • spices and aromatic substances (inclusive powered onions and garlic)
  • gum arabic
  • cereal flakes and germs for milk products
  • dehydrated vegetables
  • mechanically deboned poultry meat
  • dry fruits
  • dry vegetables
  • strawberries
  • frog legs, frozen
  • egg white (liquid) dried or frozen
  • frozen or refrigerated peeled, deheaded shrimp
  • rice flour
  • aromatic herbs, (frozen)
  • poultry, ground chopped or cut
  • raisins, dried dates, figs and dry apricots
  • Italy
  • potatoes
  • onions
  • garlic
Netherlands
  • dried vegetables
  • frozen shrimps
  • fresh shrimps
  • spices and herbs
  • poultry
  • fish fillets
  • frozen meals for patients who need a special diet.
    • 23
  • Spain
  • potatoes
  • onions
United Kingdom
  • any food for consumption by patients who require a sterile diet as essential factor of their treatment.
  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • cereals
  • bulbs and tubers
  • spices and condiments
  • fish and shellfish
  • poultry

Source: Published by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture as a supplement to their Food Irradiation Newsletter of October 1991 (Volume 15, No. 2).