[Food irradiation with ionizing radiation; an overview].

Irradiation of food in the Netherlands may only be performed by a company that works according to the (Dutch) law on nuclear energy. Irradiation is used to reduce the number of pathogenic and spoilage micro-organisms in food. Thus the use of preservatives can be diminished. The use of this technique for the decontamination of food is sustained by the FAO/WHO. Codex Alimentarius Committee and other organisations like the Dutch Public Health Council. It should be accepted world wide and used in every country. Irradiation of food is at the moment allowed in 38 countries and practically performed in 28 countries. Gamma radiation from the cobalt-60 isotope is the commonly used source of radiation. The treatment causes in most foodstuffs no organoleptic changes. On the other hand, organoleptic deteriorations provoked by micro-organisms rest unchanged by the treatment. An inferior lot can not be 'irradiated' into an impeccable food. In the Netherlands it is only allowed to irradiate foodstuffs mentioned in the (Dutch) Irradiated Food Products Act which-is part of the (Dutch) Food and Commodities Act.