asked the Minister for Health if any adequate test is available to his Department to detect the levels of irradiation in foods imported from countries where irradiation as a technique is available.
Written Answers. - Food Irradiation.
21.
At present, there is no test available anywhere to determine if a foodstuff has been irradiated. Labelling of irradiated foodstuffs will ensure that the consumer is properly informed.
Officials of my Department are currently involved in the preparation of an EC Directive on Food Irradiation which will prescribe the usage of food irradiation, will establish a plant inspecting system and will establish labelling requirements for products for sale other than to the ultimate consumer.
The EC Commission also proposes to amend the Food Labelling Directive 79/112/EEC in relation to the indication of irradiation. It proposes to make the labelling of irradiated food and irradiated ingredients in foodstuffs obligatory.