Food Irradiation An Established Food Processing Technology for Food Safety and Security

Abstract

Food irradiation is a well-established and effective technology for food processing and preservation. The technology aids in reducing food losses and ensuring food safety by elimination of pathogens and parasites causing illness and death. Radiation treatment can be applied to agricultural produce and animal food products to get extended shelf life with improved microbiological safety and quality. Irradiating food can greatly reduce illness from foodborne pathogens thereby preventing morbidity and mortality. Various national and international food and health organisations have endorsed and supported the safety of food and foodstuffs subjected to ionising radiation based on the research and testing data of more than 50 year. A review is presented on the historical developments of food irradiation technology, radiation sources for treatment of food and, the safety and wholesomeness of foods processed by ionising radiation.