CONSUMPTION RESTRICTIONS ON CONTAMINATED FOODSTUFFS

In the event of an accident or any other radiological emergency situation, the restrictions on the consumption or sale of foodstuffs are determined in Europe by two regulations: Council regulation No 3954/87/Euratom of 22 December 1987 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and of feedstuffs following a nuclear accident or in any other case of radiological emergency, and Council Regulation No 2219/89/EEC of 18 July 1989 on the special conditions for exporting foodstuffs and feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency. The purpose of these restrictions is to "safeguard the health of the population while maintaining the unified nature of the market".

Thus maximum allowable levels in Bq/kg or Bq/L were set according to the nature of the radioelement concerned, the product concerned and its end-use (baby foods, foodstuffs and feedingstuffs).

A list of foodstuffs of "lesser importance" was drawn up (foodstuffs for which consumption does not exceed 10 kg/year). Levels ten times higher are set for these items, such as thyme, garlic, cocoa paste, truffles, caviar, etc.

Foodstuffs or feedingstuffs in which contamination exceeds these levels, may not be sold or exported. Nonetheless, in the event of an accident, "automatic" application of this regulation may not exceed a period of three months, after which time it would be replaced by more specific provisions.

Maximum allowable levels of radioactive contamination for feedingstuffs:
(caesium 134 and caesium 137);
            Pork: 1250 Bq/kg
            Poultry, lamb, veal: 2500 Bq/kg
            Others: 2500 Bq/kg.

The WHO also proposed indicative values to facilitate international trade. The national authorities may use these values as the basis for determining their own thresholds, thus helping to harmonise these intervention criteria.

Indicative values of the Codex alimentarius for foodstuffs offered for sale (FA91) Bq/kg