(T/F) Gamma rays can be used to irradiate food.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not sure
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is that irradiation with gamma rays is a valid method for treating food to improve safety and shelf life. Gamma rays are high-energy photons that penetrate foods deeply. They come from radioactive sources such as cobalt-60 or cesium-137. When food is exposed to these rays at controlled doses, the energy interacts with water and other molecules to form free radicals that damage the DNA of microorganisms, parasites, and insects, making them unable to reproduce and reducing spoilage and illness risk. The process does not make the food radioactive; the radioactivity is not transferred to the food, and the dose is carefully controlled to achieve the desired effect. Because of these properties, gamma irradiation is an approved, used technique in food processing for certain products. doubts about safety or radioactivity aren’t supported by how irradiation works, so the statement is true.