Technology transfer in the food irradiation project of the byproducts utilization program. Food irradiation at doses'of 10 kGy (1000 krad) or less have been found by international expert committees.to be wholesome and safe for human consumption. Irradiation with cesium137 can be used as a means of enhancing particular properties of various food commodities by means of sterilization, insect disinfestation, delayed senescence and ripening, and sprout inhibition. Among the topics discussed is the use of low-level irradiation processing to provide trichina-safe raw pork and as a possible substitute for ethylene dibromide fumigation of citrus products for the control of fruit-fly and seed-weevil infestations. The use of a transportable cesium irradiator as a research tool for full·scale irradiators is also discussed. Some other activities that meet the U.S. Department of Energy objective of promoting commercial application of food irradiation technology are also presented. Jacek S. Sivinski*, and R. Kirk Switzer*CH2M HILL, INC. 621 Indian School Road, N.E., Suite 206 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110.
