18/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption on 17 December (269 votes in favour, 180 against and 5 abstentions) of a report by German Green member Hiltrud Breyer on the European Commission's communication concerning foodstuffs and ingredients liable to be subject to ionisation, the EP considered in particular that any addition to the list of aromatic herbs, spices and condiments that may undergo ionisation could be authorised only if scientific knowledge demonstrates that this is "safe and effective". Furthermore, it calls for the immediate withdrawal from the market of products unduly labelled "not ionised". During the debate, Françoise Grossetête (EPP, French) voiced opposition to "blends" and stressed that, while ionisation could not be used for "offsetting negligence with regards hygiene (…) the scientific community considers that the irradiation of foodstuffs does not present any danger for health if it is applied in the context of good manufacturing practice".