A processing treatment that exposes food to ionising radiation, permitted only for specified foods under Standard 1.5.3 of the Food Standards Code.
No. Food irradiation exposes food to a controlled dose of ionising radiation to achieve a defined purpose, but the food itself does not become radioactive.
Standard 1.5.3 of the Food Standards Code permits irradiation only for specified foods and purposes and sets the minimum and maximum doses allowed.
No. Only foods expressly listed in Standard 1.5.3 may be irradiated, such as certain fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, each within an approved dose range.
Yes. Food that has been irradiated, or that contains an irradiated ingredient, must be labelled to state that it has been treated with ionising radiation.
Common purposes include controlling insect pests as a quarantine measure, delaying ripening or sprouting, and reducing certain microorganisms in permitted foods.