Irradiation is simply a pasteurization process. Like pasteurizing milk, we are using energy to pasteurize meat and poultry. It systematically renders those products safe for consumers. The cost varies depending on the system employed, but at the most, it would cost just pennies per pound. It's not an expensive process.
Irradiation does have a lot of uses.
For example, medical devices are virtually all irradiated because they must be sterile in order for them to be safe for use in hospital's or doctor's offices. Irradiation is also used to sterilize liners that go in baby bottles. In many areas where there's a requirement that a product be sterile, irradiation usually is the technology used. James Marsden is past president of the American Meat Institute Foundation where he was responsible for all meat science activities, including food safety and regulatory issues. Currently, he is the Kansas Board of Regents distinguished professor of meat science in the department of animal sciences and industry, Kansas State University .