Detection of Irradiated Foods

SURRC has been one of the leading European laboratories developing detection methods for irradiated foods since 1986. Under current UK and European food legislation ionisng radiation can be used in treating certain classes of foods for purposes ranging from microbial reduction to transformation organo-leptic properties. Both the process and subsequent labelling are strictly controlled with requirements for such treatments to be clearly indicated at all stages of production, distribution and sale.

The work conducted at SURRC and SUERC has led to the development of two international standard methods based on luminescence. EN1788 describes the application of thermoluminescence (TL) to silicates extracted from a wide variety of foods using techniques first developed at SURRC in 1986. EN13751 describes the use of pulsed photostimulated luminescence (PSL) for rapid instrumental screening again based on methods developed in East Kilbride.

The development and validation of these methods has been the result of a series of externally funded research projects supported by the UK Ministry of Agriculture , Fisheries and Foods between 1986 and 1999 and subsequently by the Food Standards Agency as well as by European Commission sources. The SUERC Luminescence Facility conducts analytical work in support of the international standards methods for a range of external users and supplies instrumentation for PSL analysis.

PSL Screening

This section is under construction.

TL Analysis

This section is under construction.

Sample Submission

Prior to submission, sample materials should be protected from the light as much as possible. At least 50g of sample is required for analysis. For each sample submitted a completed and signed submission form is required - these are available below. The completed forms, including the University's terms and conditions, must be enclosed with the samples in order for analysis to be performed.

Sample submission form

Submissions should be sent to SUERC for the attention of Dr LA Carmichael or Dr S Fisk who can also be contacted with any queries.