Detection Methods for Irradiated Foods

Proper control of irradiation processing of food is very critical to facilitate international trade of irradiated foods and to enhance consumer confidence, consumer choice, and safety. Analytical detection of radiation-processing of food is very important to implement quality control at all levels. An ideal detection method should measure a specific radiation effect, which is proportional to the dose and should not be affected by processing parameters and storage conditions or the length of time between irradiation processing and analysis. The detection of irradiated foods is mainly based on radiolysis of lipids, modification of amino acids, modification of DNA, modification of carbohydrates, formation of free radicals, release of hydrogen gas, alterations in microbial load, measurement of biological difference, and other physical methods.