National Monitoring Network for Radioactivity in Food
About this service
In short- Monitoring radioactive substances in food
- 45 food monitors
- In collaboration with the business community
- Irradiation of products
Since 1965, the Netherlands has been monitoring the presence of radioactivity in milk, grass, water and other products. This is done partly in the laboratory of Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) and partly by the National Monitoring Network for Radioactivity in Food (LMRV), which is managed by WFSR.
The LMRV consists of approximately 45 food monitors spread across the Netherlands at companies (particularly milk factories) and institutions. These monitors detect radioactive substances that emit gamma radiation.
Companies participating in the LMRV can also use the food monitor to carry out their own measurements for control and export certification purposes. Wageningen Food Safety Research is responsible for maintaining the food monitors, providing support in the event of malfunctions, interpreting the measurement data and training employees at the locations.
New partners
Wageningen Food Safety Research strives to achieve the best possible national coverage for this network, so new partners are always welcome. If you are interested, please contact us.
More information
Radioactive substances can end up in food, animal feed and the environment as a result of a radiation accident. In this context, WFSR performs radiochemical analyses and checks for possible contamination. We also do this for the business community, for example in the context of export certification or raw material control.
We offer:
- fast, accurate analyses in various matrices
- urgent investigations possible
- accredited methods
- control measurements for export
- rapid upscaling
- good reputation
- independence
- well-trained and experienced staff
- advice on contamination with regard to the possible cause (source) and measures to be taken
To determine gamma emitters, Wageningen Food Safety Research has two high-resolution gamma spectrometers in our radionuclide laboratory. The standard analysis used for monitoring covers approximately 25 nuclides, including the most important nuclear components iodine-131 (I-131), caesium-137 (Cs-137) and caesium-134 (Cs-134) and cobalt-60 (Co-60).
The presence of beta emitters, particularly strontium-90 (Sr-90) and tritium (H-3), can be detected in a wide range of food and environmental matrices. The samples can be processed using various pre-treatment methods and measured by liquid scintillation with a Quantulus LSC. Alpha emitters, such as uranium-235 (U-235), uranium-238 (U-238) and plutonium-239 (Pu-239), can be measured at WFSR after sample pre-treatment using alpha spectrometry.
In addition to determining radioactive contaminants in various matrices, we can also determine whether a product has been irradiated. Irradiation is a sterilisation method that is used for herbs, for example. The Commodities Act specifies which products may be irradiated. If a product has been irradiated, this must be indicated on the label. The method used consists of two parts: a screening measurement, possibly followed by a thermoluminescence determination (TLD) with a reference measurement for confirmation.
Our high-resolution gamma methods and Sr-90 (a beta emitter) analyses are accredited according to ISO 17025. The other methods have been validated. To guarantee the quality of our analyses, we participate in international ring tests every year.
Get in touch with our expert
Wageningen Food Safety Research is working towards broad national coverage and welcomes new partners. Interested? Feel free to get in touch with us.