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Brussels, 17 october 1994
Position on the irradiation of foodstuffs
Given the different national rules on irradiation, there is an urgent need for harmonisation at European level in order to ensure better and uniform protection of consumer health.
Euro Coop is not opposed to the irradiation of herbs and spices. For other foodstuffs however, it should only be used for the protection of health against infection and if other methods cannot be applied in a reasonable way. Therefore, Euro Coop insist on a product by product approach.
Euro Coop agrees with the split into a framework directive governing the general aspects and an implementing directive with a preliminary Community list. We are concerned about the use of the Committee procedure for the transfer of products to the list and therefore call for the Council procedure, which makes it more difficult to extend the list.
Euro Coop believes that there must be adequate testing methods and that all irradiated foodstuffs must be labelled including compound ingredients. We are pleased to note the recent progress on detection methods.
Euro Coop criticises the fact that the Commission, by referring in its Report of 17.03.1994 to a EURO COOP Report of July 1993, infers that consumers are in favour of irradiation. This is not at all the case. Some of our member organisations are in fact opposed to the irradiation of foodstuffs and may ban its use in their own-brand products.
Even in those countries where, for example, irradiation of meat and poultry is authorised, our members do not prove the need to have recourse to this process.
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