EFSA assesses the safety of food irradiation

EFSA’s scientific experts have updated scientific advice on the safety of irradiation of food – a process which can be used to destroy bacteria that cause food poisoning. In its comprehensive advice to EU policy makers, EFSA’s BIOHAZ Panel[1] looked at the efficacy and microbiological safety of the process, and EFSA’s CEF Pane[2] looked at possible risks arising from the formation of several chemical substances as a result of food irradiation.