The FSA has published the annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report, which shows that the level of man-made radioactivity to which people in the UK are exposed, remained below the EU legal limit during 2014. No food safety concerns were identified.

Key findingsThe key findings are:

• The total radiation dose to members of the public in the UK is significantly below the EU annual dose limit of 1 millisievert for all exposures.

• The exposure of consumers to radioactivity in 2014 was similar than in 2013 for the majority of nuclear sites.

• In 2014, the highest doses the public received were Sellafield (0.22mSv), Capenhurst (0.17mSv) and Amersham (0.14mSv), as opposed to last year when the location with the highest dose was Amersham (0.22mSv). The increase in the ranking of Sellafield compared to last year was established following a re-assessment of exposure pathways in 2014, including an observed increase in seafood consumption. The doses received around Amersham and Capenhurst are mainly result of direct radiation from sources on the sites.

• In 2014, habit surveys were carried out at Berkeley, Oldbury, Hartlepool and Sellafield in England. The results were used to improve the assessment of doses to the members of the public near nuclear licensed sites.

• Between April 2014 and March 2015, 383 contaminated particles were found in the Cumbrian coastlines originating from Sellafield by an ongoing survey programme which started in 2006. (An increase from 117 particles in the previous year.) These were removed by the site operator. The increase in the number of finds is due to the improvements in the detection capability of the mobile survey units that are used. A recent report by Public Health England describes the assessed health risks from the consumption of seafood (including those to commercial fishermen) from radioactive particles in the vicinity of the Sellafield site. Based on currently available information, it is concluded that the overall health risks to both seafood consumers and commercial fishermen are very low.

• Following the Fukushima accident in Japan in 2011, food import controls from that country were introduced, and further revised during 2012. Monitoring at UK ports of entry showed little or no radioactivity in food.

• Sampling for freshwater fish affected by the 1986 Chernobyl accident ceased in upland lakes in 2014 following a risk-based review by the FSA.

The FSA has published its annual report on progress towards implementation of the UK Multi-Annual National Control Plan (MANCP). The report, which is based on data collected for 2014, shows that overall level of compliance in all sectors in the UK was satisfactory when assessed against expectations.

About the MANCPThe UK MANCP details the roles, responsibilities and strategies of the different authorities and organisations involved in enforcement of and monitoring compliance with feed and food law, animal health and welfare rules and plant health requirements in the UK. It is a requirement of Regulation (EC) 882/2004 for each Member State to produce an annual report detailing progress made each year.

How the annual report will be used by the European Commission
The report, which can be found at the link below, informs the European Commission on progress in achieving the objectives of the MANCP, summarises the results of official controls and associated activities carried out by the competent authorities and associated bodies, and outlines the findings of performance audits.

​The Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission will use the report to plan audits of UK control arrangements. The report will also be used to contribute to a report from the Commission to the European Council and European Parliament on the overall operation of official controls across the European Union.