Does irradiation destroy all bacteria, resulting in a sterile produce?
Irradiation, at the levels normally used in food processing, destroys most, but not all microorganisms present; it does not sterilize the food. It can decrease salmonella and e. coli organisms substantially, but spore-forming organisms such as c. perfringens are still alive. As with any food, consumers must take appropriate precautions, such as refrigeration and proper handling and cooking, to make sure that potentially harmful organisms do not cause problems. After treatment, the surviving diseasecausing and food spoilage organisms may start to multiply again if the food is not properly handled. The diseasecausing organisms in irradiated food are just as dangerous, but not more so, as the same organisms in nonirradiated food.
