In considering overall emergency responses to the impact of a transboundary release of radioactive materials, the basic principles of radiological protection and of food protection should be applied. As to the control of radionuclide contamination of foods moving in international trade, only established food protection procedures will have any validity. As shown, neither of the approaches for establishing derived intervention levels meet the criteria of assuring the consumer of the quality and safety of food as well as facilitating international trade.