Of course it does. That's why it works. Irradiation kills harmful bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, staphylococcus and listeria among others, thereby reducing the danger of food- borne illness. That germ-killing effect is the reason it can be compared to pasteurization, which eliminates only certain, easily killed microorganisms in milk.
Irradiation also kills insects and parasites without the use of chemical pesticides.
Some of the spices, herbs and seasonings in the United States are already being irradiated for this purpose. Irradiation also inhibits the spoilage of foods, stretching the world's available food supply. In more than 30 countries around the world, some 40 different kinds of food, including fruits and vegetables, spices, grains, fish, meats and poultry, are routinely being irradiated. What Radiation Is Radiation is any energy that is traveling from one place to another at a speed approximating that of light. The lamp on your desk sends out radiation in the form of visible light.