X-Rays

Would use of X-rays to detect foreign bodies in a plant constitute irradiation?

By Brian Baker

While X-rays create radiation, the levels used to detect foreign bodies in food are not considered 'ionizing radiation' as defined in the organic standards. Ionizing radiation used as a food preservation technique often involves the use of relatively high doses of gamma- and beta-rays from radioactive isotopes or electron beams. X-rays are also a form of ionizing radiation used to treat food and can be dangerous to work with. However, the source is electromagnetic and radioactive materials are not necessarily involved. The spectrum is less effective and a considerably lower dosage needed to detect metals and other dense foreign bodies in food. Depending on the food being treated, the level of radiation exposure for the purpose of preservation may be as much as 20,000 times higher than what would be used to inspect food.

Revised and updated in July 2017 by OMRI Technical Director Johanna Mirenda. This article was originally published in the Winter 2007 edition of the OMRI Materials Review newsletter.