1. Would you eat a pizza that had been exposed to nuclear radiation?
Why Or
Why not?

2. Which foods are irradiated?
Wheat flour – control of mold
White potatoes – inhibit sprouting
Pork – kill Trichinia parasites
Fruit and Vegetables – insect control; increase shelf life
Herbs and Spices - sterilization
Poultry – bacterial pathogen reduction
Meat – bacterial pathogen reduction

3. What is food irradiation?
Food irradiation is a preservation technique in which food products are exposed briefly to high-energy radiation to control insects, mold, bacteria, and spoilage.

4. How does irradiation work?
During the irradiation process, food products absorb radiation.
The radiation breaks down the chemical bonds found within the DNA of the food material and any contaminating microbes or insects.
Contaminating organisms are not able to repair DNA and reproduce.

5. What are the sources of radiation?
Gamma Rays
Utilize radiation given off by Cobalt 60 or Cesium 137
Electron Beams
Stream of high-energy electrons propelled from an electron gun
Similar to Beta Particles
X-rays
Electron beam is directed at a thin plate of gold (or other metal), producing a stream of X-rays exiting from the other side

6. Cobalt-60 Gamma Irradiation Plant
courtesy Food Engineering Magazine at

7. Electron Beam/X-Ray Irradiation Plant

8. How do radiation sources compare?
Gamma Radiation (Gamma Rays from Nuclear Decay)
Good penetration
Special Facility, Nuclear Waste
Electron Beam (Like Beta Particles but Produced by Electricity)
No Waste, In-line equipment
New Technology
X-Ray (Lower Energy Rays Produced by Electron Beam)
No Waste, In-line equipment, Good Penetration
Newest Technology

9. What changes occur in the quality of irradiated foods?
Irradiation is a “cold” process, and therefore…
Little if any change in physical appearance
No textural or color changes as with traditional heat preservation
Possible chemical changes
Off-flavors
Tissue softening

10. What are the benefits? Irradiation… Delays ripening Inhibits sprouting
Controls insects
Reduces chemical residues
Reduces organisms which cause spoilage and foodborne illness
Extends the shelf life and improves safety of food products

11. How do you know if your food has been irradiated?
Irradiation must be indicated on the label of all irradiated retail food products
“treated with radiation”
“treated by irradiation”

12. Are irradiated foods safe?
YES!
Radiation doses are never large enough to cause nuclear changes that would cause the food material to become radioactive.

13. So, now would you eat an irradiated food product?
Why Or
Why not?