Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE)

crop of potatoes
Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) is the most comprehensive annual independent report of radioactivity in food covering the whole of the UK.

The report combines the Agency's monitoring results with those of the Environment Agency, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The survey measures radioactivity from different parts of the food chain, including for people who live close to nuclear sites and eat locally produced food. The report also assesses how much radioactivity people would absorb from authorised radioactive discharges in the environment, for example the air.

Related content
PDF file Radioactivity in Food and the Environment Errata(1.25 MB)
Corrections to published RIFE reports

More in this section

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) Report 2015

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 2015. No food safety risks were identified.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) Report 2014

The FSA has published the 13th annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report, which shows that the level of man-made radioactivity to which people in the UK were exposed, during 2014 remained below the EU legal limit. No food safety concerns were identified.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) Report 2013

The FSA has published the 12th 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 2013. No food safety concerns were identified.

Provisional radioactivity surveillance results for 2013

The Food Standards Agency carries out surveillance for radioactivity in aquatic and terrestrial foods. The following tables give the provisional results from analysis of foods from England and Wales during the period 1 January to 31 December 2013.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) 2012

The FSA has published the 11th 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 2012.

Provisional radioactivity surveillance results for 2012

The Food Standards Agency carries out surveillance for radioactivity in aquatic and terrestrial foods. The following tables give the provisional results from analysis of foods from England and Wales during the period 1 January to 30 June 2012.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) 2011

RIFE 2011 is the tenth joint annual report combining the results of the radiological monitoring programmes of the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The RIFE report includes data for samples collected in 2011.

Provisional radioactivity surveillance results for 2011

The Food Standards Agency carries out surveillance for radioactivity in aquatic and terrestrial foods. Tables are available that give the provisional results from analysis of foods for the period England and Wales from 1 January to 30 June 2011.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) 2010

RIFE 2010 is the ninth joint annual report combining the results of the radiological monitoring programmes of the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency . The RIFE report includes data for samples collected in 2010.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) 2009

RIFE 15 is the eighth joint annual report combining the results of the radiological monitoring programmes of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Services of Northern Ireland. The RIFE 15 report includes data for samples collected in 2009.

Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) 2008

RIFE 14 is the seventh joint annual report combining the results of the radiological monitoring programmes of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Services of Northern Ireland. The RIFE 14 report includes data for samples collected in 2008.

Summary of Radioactivity in Food and the Environment 2004-2008

The Summary of Radioactivity in Food and the Environment 2004 to 2008 uses data published in the RIFE reports during the five years in question to produce trends associated with radiation exposure (doses) to people living around nuclear sites, disposals of radioactive waste (discharges) to air and water, and radionuclide activity (concentrations) in samples collected around nuclear sites.