What is the process of food irradiation?
Food irradiation is a processing and preservation technique with similar results to freezing or pasteurisation. During this procedure, the food is exposed to doses of ionising energy, or radiation. At higher doses, this process kills insects, moulds, bacteria and other potentially harmful micro-organisms.
What type of radiation is used for food irradiation?
gamma rays
Currently, food irradiators use one of three kinds of radiation: gamma rays (from cobalt-60 sources), electron beams, or x-rays. All three methods work the same way. Bulk or packaged food passes through a radiation chamber on a conveyor belt.
Which type of radiation is involved in the sterilization of food and medical equipment?
Gamma radiation is used routinely to sterilize medical, dental, and household products and is also used for the radiation treatment of cancer. X-rays are produced by reflecting a high-energy stream of electrons off a target substance (usually one of the heavy metals) into food.
What are the disadvantages of irradiating food?
List of the Disadvantages of Food Irradiation
- We cannot irradiate some food products.
- It can change the nutritional profile of some foods.
- Minimal labeling requirements exist for food irradiation.
- There can be resistant strains of bacteria to the irradiation process.
- The cost of food irradiation is an issue to consider.
What are the benefits of irradiating food?
Food irradiation (the application of ionizing radiation to food) is a technology that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects. Like pasteurizing milk and canning fruits and vegetables, irradiation can make food safer for the consumer.
What is food sterilization by gamma irradiation?
Food sterilization by gamma irradiation is the process of exposing food to ionizing radiation to destroy microorganisms, namely bacteria, or insects that might be present in the food.
What percentage of medical devices are sterilized with radiation?
More than 40 per cent of all single-use medical devices produced worldwide are sterilized with gamma irradiation. The IAEA helps its Member States set up radiation facilities and provides guidelines for the use of sterilization applications that use radiation.
What is radradiation sterilisation?
Radiation sterilisation utilises ionising radiation to sterilise medical devices. Its usage has grown in recent decades as more facilities have been built, radiation resistant materials developed and dosage levels more tightly defined. The introduction of electron beam sterilisation has also expanded the use of radiation for sterilisation.
What is the purpose of sterilization in food?
Sterilization – irradiation can be used to sterilize foods, which can then be stored for years without refrigeration. Sterilized foods are useful in hospitals for patients with severely impaired immune systems, such as patients with AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy.