Food Irradiation

             The process that occurs in food irradiation is quick and simple. There are three types that currently exist. Gamma rays, electron beams, and x-rays are the methods why which this process is undergone. The high energy ray is absorbed as it passes through food, and gives up its energy and the food is slightly warmed (CDC).
             To be more specific, when the technology used to irradiate foods is done by with gamma rays the elements Cobalt 60 or Cesium 137, in radioactive form, are used These substances produce the gamma rays and penetrate the food deeply in several feet. This source is placed into a pool of water (CDC; FSIS).
             A conveyor system transports the meat or poultry product to the water. In order to irradiate a product the source of the rays is then taken out of the water and kept in a chamber with large concrete walls to keep the rays from escaping. When the microbes that are present in the food are irradiated, the energy from the rays is transferred to the water and other molecules in the microbe (CDC; FSIS).
             The energy creates transient reactive chemicals that damage the DNA in the microbe, causing defects in the genetic instructions. The product is then irradiated for a specific amount of time, depending on the type and state of food being irradiated. When the radioactive source isn't in use it is placed and stored in the cool pool of water that absorbs the radiation completely (CDC;FSIS).
             When elements are done by electron beams, also known as e-beams, these streams of high energy electrons are propelled out of an electron gun whose apparatus is similarly a larger version of the device on the back of a TV tube that puts electron into the TV screen at the front of the tube, causing it to light up (CDC).
             The beam generator is switched on or of and no radioactivity is involved. Through this method of irradiation, the electrons can only penetrate food to a depth of three centimeter
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Food Irradiation. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 06:23, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/3332.html