Great numbers of conservation methods are used in food industry during storage to prevent chemical, physical, biochemical and microbiological changes in the product. This methods can divided in to two groups; heat treatments and non-heat treatments. Food irradiation is non – heat treatment and it is an alternative method to eliminate negative effects of heat treatments.

Besides, it increases the shelf life of the food product, irradiation method also prevents bud, delays maturation and kills insects and parasites. Like other methods, irridation efficiency depends on quality of the raw material and providing hygienic conditions.

In food irradiation method, gamma beam, X-ray and accelerated electrons are used as a beam source. Among them, the most commonly used source are  gamma beam and accelerated electrons

According to research of  expert committee,  JECFI, FAO, IAEA, WHO, that studied about the effect of irradiated foods on human health in 1980, the food products irradiated with maximum 10 kGy dose doesn’t have harmful effect on human health. But irradiation must not be applied to liquids due to free radicals formation and their adverse effect.

The most important point in food irradiation method is choosing applied dose. The applied dose have to be in limits that was determined by international health organizations, should prevent microbiological growth and should not have harmful effect on product quality. To determine the irradiated foods and applied dose level, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectrophotometer is used.

Another important point is food’s being in its last package. To prevent cross-contamination, food product should be packed before irradiation and shouln’t be applied any further process after irradiation. Also packing material is important and should be suitable for irradiation method.

Although food irradiation method has several benefits, Its acceptance takes times and in some countries consumers avoid consume irradiated food products. the awareness of public and manufacturers should be raise about food irradiation technology to gain tendency to this method.

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