Food Irradiation Clearances Database

How to use this database

A database on country approvals of irradiated foods for human consumption. The information includes country name, class of food, specific food product, objective of irradiation, date of approval and recommended dose limit. It is maintained by the Food and Environmental Subprogramme of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

Food irradiation has emerged as a viable sanitary and phytosanitary treatment to help governments meet the requirements set out in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Currently, over 50 countries have approved the use of this technology for ensuring the safety and quality of foods and for satisfying quarantine requirements in trade, including meat products, fresh fruits, spices and dried vegetable seasonings.

Subsequent to the 2003 finalization of revised texts on sanitary applications of irradiation by the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has also assigned a high priority to the development of international standards on the use of irradiation for phytosanitary applications. Along with previously finalized Codex texts on sanitary applications, these new international texts on phytosanitary applications will be used to help governments ensure safe and wholesome food supplies and to control insect pests. The Joint Division continues to assist its Member States in the implementation of post-harvest applications of irradiation in food and agricultural commodities through the sponsoring of research projects and scientific visits, the convening of groups of experts to provide independent and authoritative advice, collaboration with Codex, IPPC and other international organizations, and through its technical assistance and distance learning programmes.