Analytical methods to identify irradiated food -: a review

The ability to analytically identify irradiated food-complementary to certification-helps to enhance consumers confidence. It makes it possible to check compliance with existing regulations (e.g. enforcement of labelling, control of prohibition) and to facilitate international food trade. An enormous effort-both at the world-wide international level (ADMIT) and at European (BCR)/national level-has led to several validated and even standardized (CEN) detection methods for a large number of different food products. In this short review, the present methods are summarized, limitations and new developments drafted. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.