Irradiation of spices, herbs and other vegetable seasonings: A compilation of technical data for its authorization and control

This publication contains a compilation of all available scientific and technical data on the irradiation of spices, herbs and other vegetable seasonings. It is intended to assist governments in considering the authorization of this particular application of radiation processing of food and in ensuring its control in the facility and the control of irradiated food products moving in trade. The Compilation was prepared in response to the requirement of the Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods and associated Code that radiation treatment of food be justified on the basis of a technological need or of a need to improve the hygienic quality of the food. It was prepared also in response to the recommendations of the FAO/IAEA/WHO/ITC-UNCTAD/GATT International Conference on the Acceptance, Control of and Trade in Irradiated Food (Geneva, 1989) concerning the need for regulatory control of radiation processing of food. It is hoped that the information contained in this publication will assist governments in considering requests for the approval of radiation treatment of spices, herbs and other vegetable seasonings, or requests for authorization to import such irradiated products. Refs and tabs