Ministerial Decree No. 454 making provisions for the treatment with ionising radiation of desiccated herbs, spices and other condiments derived from desiccated herbs and spices.

The Decree allows the treatment of desiccated herbs, spices and condiments with ionising radiation. The dose of radiation to be absorbed by the products must not exceed 10 KGy (measured according to the parameters of Annex II). The radiation treatment is not compatible with other chemical treatment aiming at the same purpose and cannot be carried out more than once. The only radiation sources allowed for the food treatment are those listed out in Annex I. As for the labelling procedures the Decree refers to Legislative Decree No. 109, of 27 January 1992. The present Decree allows the clearance sale of onions, garlic and potatoes placed on the market or labelled before the entry into force of the present Decree (art. 3, para. 4).