US Irradiated Food Labelling Standards

[Guest guest]

I don't understand this, since they state that irradiated food labelling

**is optional,** yet spices and herbs are exceptions?

 

Can someone please clarify this for me and explain the interpretations?

blessings

Shan

 

This is from Reference No. 33 in this article:

_http://en.wikipediahttp://en.http://en.wikipehttp://en.whttp://enht_

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_irradiation#cite_note-CX-label-32)

 

 

GENERAL STANDARD FOR THE LABELLING OF PREPACKAGED FOODS. CODEX STAN 1-1985:

 

Irradiated foods

 

5.2.1 The label of a food which has been treated with ionizing radiation

shall carry a written statement indicating that treatment in close proximity

to the name of the food.

 

The use of the international food irradiation symbol, as shown below, IS

OPTIONAL, but when it is used, it shall be in close proximity to the name of

the food.

 

5.2.2 When an irradiated product is used as an ingredient in another food,

this shall be so declared in the list of ingredients.

 

5.2.3 When a single ingredient product is prepared from a raw material

which has been irradiated, the label of the product shall contain a statement

indicating the treatment.

 

6. EXEMPTIONS FROM MANDATORY LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

With the exception of spices and herbs, small units, where the largest

surface area is less than 10 cm², may be exempted from the requirements of

paragraphs 4.2 and 4.6 to 4.8.

 

7. OPTIONAL LABELLING

7.1 Any information or pictorial device written, printed, or graphic

matter may be displayed in labelling provided that it is not in conflict with

the mandatory requirements of this standard and those relating to claims and

deception given in Section 3 – General Principles.

 

7.2 If grade designations are used, they shall be readily understandable

and not be misleading or deceptive in any way.