The CAFIA regularly inspects foods potentially treated with ionizing radiation and informs the European Commission of the results. According to the Scientific Committee for Food, the treatment of foods and raw materials with ionizing radiation is in the interest of protecting public health, as it can effectively replace, for example, the use of fumigants and thus prevent the formation of residues in the event of contamination by harmful organisms, mainly in dried aromatic herbs and spices.

Food can only be irradiated in approved irradiation facilities and the consumer must be informed about the use of ionizing radiation on the food packaging.

The aim of the inspection was to verify whether the treated foods are properly labelled, whether only foods permitted by law are treated and whether the foods were irradiated in an approved irradiation facility. As part of this inspection, samples of food supplements, instant noodle soups containing a spice sachet, dried goji berries and dried mushrooms were taken.