2 SEPTEMBER
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
2617

re-irradiate the food unless re-irradiation is expressly permitted by this Standard.

3. Permitted sources of radiation

Where this Standard permits a food to be irradiated, the ionising radiation must be either -

(a) gamma rays from the radionuclide cobalt 60; or

(b) X-rays generated by or from machine sources operated at an energy level not exceeding 5 megaelectronvolts; or

(c) electrons generated by or from machine sources operated at an energy level not exceeding 10 megaelectronvolts.

4. Foods permitted to be irradiated

(1) Subject to subclause (2), a food listed in column 1 of the Table to this clause may be irradiated, provided that-

(a) the absorbed dose of radiation is not below the minimum dose value or above the maximum dose value specified in column 2 of the Table to this clause; and

(b) the conditions specified in column 3 of the Table to this clause, if any, are met.

(2) A food listed in column 1 of the Table to this clause may only be processed by irradiation where such processing -

(a) fulfils a technological need; or

(b) is necessary for a purpose associated with food hygiene;

and such processing is not a substitute procedure for good manufacturing practice.

Table to clause 4

Editorial note:

The conditions imposed in column 3 will be those necessary to ensure that the purpose of the standard is achieved. They might relate to matters such as packaging materials used throughout processing and subsequent handling, requirements relating to facilities and premises, and particular operating procedures.

5. Record keeping

(1) Records must be kept at a facility where food is irradiated in relation to -

(a) the nature and quantity of the food treated;

(b) lot identification;

(c) the minimum durable life of the food treated;

(d) the process used;

(e) compliance with the process used;

(f) the minimum and maximum dose absorbed by the food;

(g) an indication whether or not the product has been irradiated previously and if so, details of such treatment;

(h) date of irradiation.

(2) The records required to be kept by subclause (1) must be kept for a period of time that exceeds the minimum durable life of the irradiated food by 1 year.

6. Labelling

(1) The label on or attached to a package containing a food that has been processed by ionising radiation must include a statement that the food has been treated with ionising radiation.

Examples:

‘TREATED WITH IONISING RADIATION’

‘TREATED WITH IONISING ELECTRONS’

‘IRRADIATED (name of food)’

(2) If a food contains an irradiated food as an ingredient or component, the label on or attached to a package containing the food must include a statement that the ingredient or component has been treated with ionising radiation, either as part of the declaration of that ingredient or component in an ingredient list or elsewhere on the label.

(3) Where an irradiated food, or a food containing an irradiated food as an ingredient or component, is displayed for retail sale otherwise than in a package, there must be displayed on or in connection with the display of the food a label containing a statement that the food has been treated with ionising radiation, or that it contains an ingredient or component that has been treated with ionising radiation, as the case may be.

(4) Where an irradiated food is sold other than for retail sale, the food must be labelled with-

(a) a statement that the food has been irradiated;

(b) the minimum and maximum dose of the irradiation;

(c) the identity of the facility where the food was irradiated; and

(d) the date or dates of irradiation.

Editorial Note:

Clause (2C) of Standard A1 permits this information to be provided in accompanying documentation rather than necessarily being on the label.

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