If you are like most people, you probably have heard the term but are not sure exactly what it means. Here are some of the most common questions asked about this new technology . Irradiation destroys insects, fungi or bacteria that cause human disease or cause food to spoil.
Irradiation makes it possible to keep food longer and in better condition.
In certain fruits and vegetables, it inhibits sprouting and delays the ripening process. Yes, irradiated foods are wholesome and nutritious. In fact, even at the higher doses of irradiation used to extend shelf life or control harmful bacteria, nutritional losses are less than, or about the same as cooking and freezing. At lower doses, nutrient losses are either not measurable or insignificant. The energy used in food irradiation is not strong enough to cause food to become radioactive.