What You Should Know About Food Irradiation

Food Irradiation
Food Irradiation 


Food Irradiation (the use of ionizing radiation to kill bacteria and insects) is a technology that enhances food safety and shelf life by decreasing or eradicating microbes and insects. Irradiation, like pasteurization of milk and canning of fruits and vegetables, can make food safer for consumers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of overseeing the radiation sources used to irradiate food. Only after determining that irradiating food is safe can the FDA approve a source of radiation for use on foods.

Why Irradiate Food?

Irradiation can Serve many Purposes
  • Foodborne Illness Prevention - to successfully eradicate pathogens that cause food poisoning, such as Salmonella and E. coli (E. coli).
  • Preservation refers to the process of destroying or inactivating organisms that cause food degradation and breakdown in order to extend the shelf life of foods.
  • Insect Control - to eliminate insects in or on tropical fruits imported into the US. In addition, irradiation reduces the need for additional pest-control methods that could harm the fruit.
  • Delay Sprouting and Ripening - to prevent sprouting (e.g., potatoes) and to delay fruit ripening to extend the life of the plant.
Food Irradiation can be used to sterilize foods, which can subsequently be stored without refrigeration for years. In hospitals, sterilized foods are beneficial to patients with extremely compromised immune systems, such as those suffering from AIDS or receiving chemotherapy. Irradiated foods are subjected to far higher levels of treatment than foods allowed for general consumption.

How Is Food Irradiated?

Three types of radiation have been approved for use on foods
  • Radioactive versions of the elements cobalt (Cobalt 60) and cesium (Cesium 60) generate gamma rays (Cesium 137). Gamma radiation is frequently used to sterilize medical, dental, and home goods, as well as for cancer therapy
  • X-rays are created by a high-energy stream of electrons being reflected into food from a target substance (typically one of the heavy metals). X-rays are also commonly utilized to obtain images of inside structures in medicine and industry.
  • An electron beam (or e-beam) is a stream of high-energy electrons driven into Food Irradiation from an electron accelerator, analogous to X-rays.




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