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In 2021 the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carried out an inspection activity focused on the fact whether producers and importers provide consumers with information on the application of ionising radiation of foodstuffs treated this way. This information duty is laid down both by European and national legislation.

The inspectors sampled foodstuffs which were not accompanied with this information on their labelling and the same time they focused in particular on those commodities, at which the previous results showed violation of the regulation – i.e. failing to provide the information on irradiation despite a laboratory analysis proved such treatment. Namely spices, herbal teas, instant soups containing a bag with spices, dried garlic, dried mushrooms and food supplements were concerned. The samples were taken at wholesales.

Out of the total number of 37 samples, the analysis proved treatment with ionising radiation without providing this fact on the labelling in case of 4 following samples:

• Instant noodle soup with seafood flavour, best before date by: 15.01.2022, lot: L 150720, importer: TIHA spol. s r.o., Bavorská 856/14, Prague 13-Stodůlky, country of origin: Vietnam. The inspectors took the non-compliant sample at the premises of HKH Břeclav s.r.o., Stromořadní 3525, 690 02 Břeclav.
• Instant noodle soup with pork flavour, best before date by: 04.10.2022, lot: L 040420, importer: TIHA spol. s r.o., Bavorská 856/14, Prague 13-Stodůlky, country of origin: Vietnam. The inspectors took the non-compliant sample at the premises of HKH Břeclav s.r.o., Stromořadní 3525, 690 02 Břeclav.
• Instant noodle soup with seafood flavour, best before date by: 04.08.2022, lot: L040221. importer: TIHA spol. s r.o., Bavorská 856/14, Prague 13-Stodůlky, country of origin: Vietnam. The inspectors took the non-compliant sample at the premises of TIHA spol. s r.o. Bavorská 856/14, 150 00 Prague 13 – Stodůlky.
• Instant noodle soup with seafood flavour, best before date by: 02.08.2022, lot: L020221. importer: TIHA spol. s r.o., Bavorská 856/14, Prague 13-Stodůlky, country of origin: Vietnam. The inspectors took the non-compliant sample at the premises of TIHA spol. s r.o. Bavorská 856/14, 150 00 Prague 13 – Stodůlky.

CAFIA will initiate an administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the inspected persons.

According to expert authorities, treating of foodstuffs and raw materials with ionising radiation is beneficial for public health protection as it may efficiently replace e.g. use of fumigants (insecticides) or prevent occurrence of undesirable contaminations for example of herbs or spices.

However, treatment with ionising radiation is still an open issue in certain EU Member countries and certain consumers are afraid of this technology. Therefore there is a requirement that foodstuffs and raw materials treated with ionising radiation shall be provided with this information on their labelling so that consumers could make an informed choice according to their preferences.

Article by: Mgr. Pavel Kopřiva – CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633   

10 ^th January 2021