Does treatment by irradiation guarantee food safety?
No. Nothing can guarantee food safety, but food irradiation greatly reduces bacteria and other microorganisms that may be present in food. Irradiated food must still be handled, stored, and cooked properly like all other foods. The rules of safe food handling – proper sanitation, packaging, storage and preparation – still need be followed. Irradiation cannot be used to restore food that is already spoiled. If food looks, smells or tastes bad before irradiation, it will still look, smell and taste bad after irradiation.
